Our events brought to you in partnership with North Olympic Healthcare Network.
Promoting the benefits of healthy outdoor activities and supporting a healthy, thriving and inclusive community.
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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 ancestral lands. Built in 1972, the Wynoochee Dam is used for flood control, irrigation, and industrial water storage. Every course will take you around the lake in its entirety, including a mile of single-track on the Maidenhair Falls Trail, and you will discover this tucked-away gem for yourself. The Wynoochee Lake area represents some of the deepest logging roots in the state 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 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.
Important: there is very spotty cell coverage on the course – you will want to download the tracks onto your phone ahead of time.
Why-Not-Chee Micro – 17 miles
Why-Not-Chee Micro
17 miles, 1100′
Water stations at approximately mile 9
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Short – 28 Miles
28 miles, 1900′
Water stations at approximately miles 9 and 21
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Medium – 42 Miles
42 miles, 4300′
Water stations at approximately miles 9 and 21
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Long – 84 Miles
84 miles, 8900′
There will be hydration/snack stations and portable toilet at approximately miles 9, 21, and 26 and 40 and water-only stations at approximately mile 58
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Giving Back
Check In:
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You can check in at Race Central (see below for location) on Friday, July 15 starting at 4:00 p.m., and on Saturday morning, July 16, starting at 6:00 a.m.
Parking:
Race Central and Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/4X7vry1rhT2T4iJP6
Where to Stay:
Camping is available in Olympic National Forest, either in campgrounds (link https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=79317) or dispersed (dispersed camping rules). Use link for “rules” https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/olympic/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=47687&actid=34
Coho Campground at Wynoochee Lake: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233384
Satsop Center camping (just 4 miles away from Start/Finish): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/olympic/recarea/?recid=81862
Accommodations:
If you would rather not camp, Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce (link https://chamber.graysharbor.org/list/QL/lodging-travel-24.htm has lodging info.