PORT ANGELES — A new adventure challenge offered by Peninsula Adventure Sports will allow participants plenty of time to complete and ample space for social distancing along the 20-plus-mile Olympic Adventure Trail.
The OAT Summer Challenge will allow participants to complete the entire 22.7-mile stretch (including the 1.5-mile road section at the far western edge of the route) between July 17 and the end of the challenge on Sept. 10.
Participants can hike, run or ride (bicycle or horse) the course in one session or in different segments over the summer.
After completing the entire length of the trail, post a photo of yourself in front of one of the Olympic Adventure Trail directional signs that are found along the trail and tag the Peninsula Adventure Sports Instagram page (@peninsulaadventuresports) and use #OATSummerChallenge in the post, or post to the OAT Summer Challenge event page at tinyurl.com/PDN-OATSummer20.
Registration is $35 per person and includes an adventure along one of the best trails on the North Olympic Peninsula, followed by a free beer at either Harbinger Winery or Angeles Brewing and Taproom, where walkers, riders and runners can pick up a swag bag filled with an Olympic Adventure Trail T-shirt, a full-color bandana showing an artistic rendering of the trail map with artwork by Port Angeles artist Todd Fisher and local printing by Convergence Shop.
A portion of each entry fee will be donated to Peninsula Trails Coalition, an area non-profit organization that is involved in the construction and maintenance of, and advocacy for, the Olympic Discovery and Olympic Adventure Trails.
To register, visit tinyurl.com/PDN-OATSummerChallenge.
Camping expands
Cabins, yurts and other roofed accommodations in more than 30 state parks are now open and available to reserve, the state parks department announced Tuesday.
These facilities are in diverse state park landscapes across Washington, including cabins at Dosewallips State Park near Brinnon.
Roofed accommodations at state parks include cabins, vacation homes, yurts and rustic shelters. Teepees, platform tents and even a fire lookout fall into the rustic shelter category.
Roofed accommodations will be cleaned and sanitized to COVID-19 standards between uses.
To give staff adequate time for these safety procedures, check-in time is now 4 p.m. instead of 2:30 p.m. Check-out time is still 11 a.m.
Those staying at cabins, rustic shelters and many vacation houses must bring their own bedding, linens and towels.
Reservations can be made online at washington.goingtocamp.com or by phone at (888-226-7688).
