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 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 very spotty cell coverage on the course – you will want to download the tracks onto your phone ahead of time.
Gravel: Each course is approximately 90% gravel. The surface data on Ride With GPS is not accurate.
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 – 26 Miles
26 miles, 2900′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 6 and 15
Approx. 90% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Medium – 42 Miles
42 miles, 4300′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 22 and 30
Approx. 90% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Why-Not-Chee Long – 78 Miles
78 miles, 8200′
There will be hydration / snack stations and portable toilets at miles 22, 30, 39, 55 (water only and no portable toilet at mile 55), and 66
Approx. 90% gravel
Course map, elevation profile, description, GPS download:
Giving Back
A portion of each race entry will be donated to Peninsula Access Coalition
Race Central / Parking:
Results
2022 – Short Course Results. Medium Course Results. Long Course Results
Photos
Series Standings: Click HERE to see the Series Standings.
Where to Stay:
Camping:
This year the race will be based out of Satsop Center. We have reserved the entire tent area, and you can sign up for a tent spot during the registration process. Cost is $10 and includes a shower token (normally $2). If you have a van, trailer, or RV, you can contact Tallmadge Dobbs at talmadgedobbs@gmail.com to reserve a spot (normally first come, first serve but we got special permission for race weekend!)
There is also Coho Campground on Wynoochee Lake which you can reserve here. Free dispersed camping is allowed on Olympic National Forest land according to these guidelines and regulations.