Race brought to you by title sponsor
About Why-Not-Chee:
Wynoochee Lake is a hidden gem on the South Side of Olympic National Park just outside the park boundary in National Forest on Chehalis tribal ancestral lands. Built in 1972, the Wynoochee Dam is used for flood control, irrigation, and industrial water storage. Every course will take you through older growth forest offering pristine views of the region and lake,and around the lake in its entirety, including one mile of single-track that is the Maidenhair Falls Trail. The Wynoochee Lake area represents some of the deepest logging roots in the state, if not the country, with the last of the company-owned logging camps in the continental United States, Camp Grisdale, located just south of the lake. Experience this region home to the first peoples of the Chehalis, and imagine the effort of the loggers who harvested these rugged landscapes and forests as you ride among the children of giants (Hemlock, Spruce, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar). All roads in the Wynoochee Lake area are open to non-motorized use year-long and the courses only represent a small sampling of possible routes in the area. This area is remote and rugged with the nearest cell reception being nearly 40 minutes away unless you are up on the highest ridges.
The Courses
Courses Subject to Change
Tip: each of these routes is no joke, even the short one – there is a lot of climbing involved, folks, and EVERY course includes one mile of MANDATORY singletrack, 400 yards of which would be Intermediate/Difficult singletrack, the rest is Green/Easier
Important: there is essentially zero cell coverage on the course – you will want to download the tracks onto your phone ahead of time.
Gravel: Each course is approximately 95% gravel. The surface data on Ride With GPS is not accurate. Minimum reccommended tire width is 40mm.
Why-Not-Chee Micro – 17 miles
Why-Not-Chee Micro
17 miles, 1100′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 3 and 12
Approx. 90% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Short – 36 Miles
36 miles, 2800′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 21 and 30
Approx. 95% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Medium – 42 Miles
42 miles, 5800′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 6, 15 and 34
Approx. 97% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
7Why-Not-Chee Long – 77 Miles
78 miles, 10,300′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 22, 37, 49, 62 (water only and no portable toilet at mile 37 and 62), and 69
Approx. 99% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Sponsors
Race Central / Parking:
Camping
Camping
We will have an onsite camping situation, but we do not yet know the specifics. As soon as details are worked out with Olympic National Forest, we will let you know how to sign up for a spot. In the meantime, for those with medium or large RVs or trailers, or who like a more traditional campground experience, there is also Coho Campground on Wynoochee Lake which you can reserve a site 6 months in advance (so January 25 for you folks) by clicking here. Reservation sites fill up fast, so mark your calendars for this one. Free dispersed camping is allowed on the remainder of Olympic National Forest land according to these guidelines and regulations.
Or you can use the lodging finder on the Olympic Peninsula tourism website! Click here.
Results and photos
RESULTS
2022 – Short Course Results. Medium Course Results. Long Course Results
PHOTOS
Race Guidelines and Series Points
RACE GUIDELINES: Be sure to review the race guidelines HERE
SERIES POINTS AND AWARDS: Due to the cancellation of Gamble Graveller in 2025, we will not be having 2025 Series Points or Awards.
Refund Policy
- There are no refunds allowed and no deferrals to future races
- You will have the choice during the registration process to buy cancellation insurance (coverage not available for Canadian riders). With the insurance, you can get a full refund if you are unable to attend the event due to several covered reasons including accident, illness and family emergency. Full insurance information HERE.
- You may transfer to another category – click here for instructions
- You may transfer your entry to another person – click here for instructions
- If we are forced to cancel for any reason, riders will get a free transfer to the next year, or an 80% refund
Be Sure to Check out the other Races of the Series
VOLUNTEER
Quilcene Gravel Unravel needs plenty of volunteers – if you are interested in helping out, please contact us at contact@peninsulaadventuresports.com
SPONSOR
Peninsula Adventure Sports could not host these events without the support and partnership of the local business community. Monetary donations as well as in-kind product or service donations serve as the backbone of these races. If you want to find out more about sponsorship, please contact us at contact@peninsulaadventuresports.com
GIVING BACK
As a way of giving back, a portion of each registration will be donated to the Quilcene Historical Museum, Count Me In for Quilcene (local scholarships), and the Backcountry Horsemen Grays Harbor Chapter.