Capitol State Forest – Rock Candy

Development Route / Olympia, Washington / Published: Oct 2019 / Directions

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Check the alerts on the Washington State Department on Natural Resources site.

Route:

Loop | 39 mi

Gain:

4,500 ft

Surface:

100 % gravel/dirt road

Technical Difficulty:

Unknown

Navigation:

Attention Required

Locale:

Remote

Tire Suggestion:

45 mm +

Options:

---

The Capitol State Forest is a beautiful area with incredible views of Mount Tahoma, the Cascades, and Olympics. And from what we hear, it is the local place to ride!

“The Forest is owned by the Washington Department of National Resources, and is an active logging area (like a number of gravel areas in Washington). Logging takes place in the fall, when trees go dormant and it isn’t completely muddy, so you may encounter trucks, machinery, and all of the soupy roads that come along with it. The good thing about riding logging roads in the fall is that (where it isn’t muddy soup) the gravel is more compact since trucks and machinery are rolling around. In summer, the Forest is a hot spot for dirt bikes and four-wheelers, so be prepared for revving motors that come out of nowhere. There are also skeet shooters and hunters in the area year-round.” From Feels on Wheels.

We have traced out one Development ride in the Forest, but looking at the map, our guess is that there are 3 to 5 quality 5-Star rides within it. Note that a Development Route is a route that has not been fully vetted or ridden by the Dirty Freehub Team.

Go prepared and expect a bit of adventure! Any feedback you have on this route or other route ideas you have would be much appreciated. You can leave then below in the comments block or email us at info@DirtyFreehub.org

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 0.2

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

The long days of summer are a great time to ride in Washington state. Low elevation means you won’t run into snow in the winter, but be cautious on a rainy day or recent rains that may make the roads difficult to ride.

Terrain & Riding

The Forest has some SERIOUS climbs, and the summer gravel is not as compact as winter gravel. The winter gravel can get a bit muddy.

Expect logging roads and a forest in different states of growth, from young saplings to mature trees of 60 t0 80 years old. The Forest also has a number of multi-use trails for hikers, horse back riders, mountain bikers, and ATV’s.

The Start

Lat / Long: 47.031868, -123.093344

Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead. Pit Toilets. If you park within the Capital State Forest you will need a Washington State Discover Pass.

Food & Water

Unknown

Notes & Options

Route Notes

We made a major revision to this route in August 10, 2023 due to a stream/creek crossing that was not crossable. We also changed the name from Evergreen Gravel to Capital State Forest.
We recommend a red blinky light with rear looking radar detector like a (i.e. Garmin Varia). These types of devices are super helpful in notifying you of vehicles approaching from behind you. They will alert you to a vehicle way sooner than you hearing it.

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Help Make This Guide Better!

At Dirty Freehub, we believe the best routes are those that are organic and driven by the riding community. This route and guide is a work in progress, and we need your help to make it better. Truly 5-Star!

How you can help!

Provide us with route feedback, both good and bad.

Let us know about points of interest and viewpoints,
submit pictures and videos,
suggest a best time to ride,
or an alternate route,
and tells us about your favorite place to go after-ride for a burger and beer.

Submit your feedback via the comments block.

Thanks!
Team Dirty Freehub

Love Where You Ride! Learn More

Located southwest of Olympia in the Black Hills of Grays Harbor and Thurston counties, the 110,000-acre Capitol State Forest is both a timber-producing forest and a popular recreation destination. Like many of the forests DNR manages, the lands in Capitol State Forest are trust lands managed to provide sustainable revenue in support of schools, state universities and local county public services. The chief sources of trust revenue in this forest include timber production, biomass byproducts, communication tower leases, and other activities.

Capitol State Forest is one of DNR’s highest timber-yielding forests and is conveniently located near where the department’s replanting effort seedlings are grown, at Webster Forest Nursery.

Videos

Discover Capital State Forest

Get out and discover Capitol Forest, a 110,000-acre working forest near Olympia, WA. A quick 1-minute intro video.

Keep it Local! Learn More

Joy Ride Bikes

This is the bike shop that makes riding in the Capitol State Forest happen. The “shop believes giving back to the community should always be a top priority and they do so in ways such as being a major sponsor of the Capitol Bicycle Club and Friends of Capitol Forest.” Joy Ride Bikes Facebook page.

Great rides like this one, don’t come for free. It takes time, money and talent to develop great routes and to keep them as great routes. One way you can show your appreciation is by stopping into the shop and making a purchase or just saying thanks.