By Lynn Schorn
Special to the kingston Community News
The Kitsap Forest & Bay Project is a coalition of community partners working to conserve nearly 7,000 acres of forest and 1.8 miles of shoreline owned by Pope Resources (www.kitsapforestbay.org).
Pope Resources allows the public to use their land but plans to move its timber resources arm, Olympic Resources Management, out of the region (Olympic Property Group, or OPG, is Pope’s real estate arm). The land just south of Port Gamble is part of the conservation efforts. Note, only logging road numbers are shown on the trails.
We start our easy mountain bike ride from new entrance to the Port Gamble Trails, just south of town off Highway 104 near the model airplane field (it has trail maps and parking). Following the dirt road north into the trees, the first easy downhill flattens at the Beaver Pond, where you may see some birds lazily swimming.
Coming up a slight rise you will see a sign on the right to the trail into Port Gamble. Instead, we continue on the dirt road as it winds through the forest and take a left at the T in the road away from Port Gamble on road 1100. The next mile is an adventure in witnessing some of the oldest forest around the North Kitsap with narrative signs of bear dens, cedar trees, and springboard notches from logging days of the past.
I find a silence in these woods, listening to my breath and pedaling which clears away any stress I may have from my busy life. I also love to witness the changes in lighting, seasons, leaves on the road, wet mud and water on the road as winter becomes spring and fall and winter again. The way has a few ups and downs but is easy for any new mountain biker.
After just over one mile, you will come to your second “T” (road 1000); turning right will take you through much of the Uplands Trails that make up the Port Gamble Block, but requires endurance and has some hills. Either retrace your steps — about a two-and-a-half mile ride — or head left at the T to try some single track.
Just ahead, I see a trail heading right into the woods called “Stumps.” This trail will challenge the skills of newer mountain bikers, because it is a single track and the way is curvy though flat. I see old stumps and some mushrooms as I maneuver through the forest.
I feel that thrill and excitement of adventure, as there are many turns in the path, but the forest is soft and quiet. Turning left on road 1000, I head up a gentle hill until I see a trail to my right heading into the woods. Now that I have had a single-track adventure, I am ready for another.
Heading into the forest for just a short way, I come to a “T” in the trail. This time, as a beginner, I turn right following the path shown on the map as “High Life.” I come to a little bridge which is easy for my newfound bike skills. Further on, I see another bridge that has been built on an old log and realize that others have been enjoying these woods. I find myself once again on road 1000, take a left and meet with road 1100 again. Returning left along the road that I came on, I search for another trail that might lead off into the woods.
Just after a dip in the road, I see a trail to my right; taking this, I curve through the forest, practicing my newfound mountain biking skills. After a good rain, I will hear a stream running to my left and dip down to an outgoing stream and bridge. This bridge is wide enough for me to feel comfortable to ride across. On my left, I make out a pond and realize that I am making a big circle around the same Beaver Pond.
I rise into a grassy area and find myself at the other end of the airfield and see my car parked at the trailhead. Wow, what an adventure! I can’t wait to come out here again!
