Day 171 Victoria, Canada to Hoh Rain Forest campground, USA 2

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Today is the day we leave Canada for the last time and return to the lower 48 after 3 months spent touring Alaska and British Colombia. Our alarms woke us up nice and early at 0700 at Jenny and Bobs; we packed our things, said our farewells to our kind hosts on Vancouver Island, and headed off just after 8. Traffic was predictably terrible through downtown Victoria until we got to the ferry terminal, where we had a long wait until our ferry departed at 10:30. We cleared US immigration, sat around chatting to fellow bikers (on Harleys or Harley replicas) Tanguy went across the road to pick us up some breakfast snacks, and we eventually boarded and left on the ferry.


Victoria Harbour on a perfect weather morning

The bow of our ferry the Coho

 The weather couldnt have been better, it was flat calm and clear blue skies. Victoria harbour was stunning, we watched an otter swim around in the clear water, and all the city goers go about their life onshore. Once at sea, a 90min trip later we docked in Port Angeles, USA, where we had an easy customs checkpoint, then carried on right away out of town and up Hurricane Ridge, a famous twisty National Park road up a close mountain top. The road delivered sensational vistas of the straights, islands at sea and glacial mountain tops. Several deer grazed alongside the road. We did a short hike from the car park up to the ridge peak, took pictures and froze our buts off. Elevation 5242, only about 6degrees up there.

View from Hurricane Ridge, 5247′ above sea level

Looking towards Victoria from the Ridge

 We carried on down the ridge, and drive to the west towards the coast and western side of the park. We took a detour along 112, which proved to have a lot less traffic, but not many ocean views. The road was twisty, and the rainforest got thicker/mossier as we rode along, until about 2hrs later we made it to Forks. Forks was a small country-feel town, famous for being home of the Twilight books/movies. We stopped at a supermarket for a snack and to stock up on groceries, as the Park where we planned to camp had none. The afternoon was getting late, so we beelined from here to our intended campground, up a 17mile one way road into the rainforest. Several traveller friends of ours had highly recommended to stay to Hoh rain Forest, and it turns out for good reason.


 The road was lined with huge trees, and when we arrived, the campground was situated next to a wide river bed. Beautiful spot, and fortunately still spots to choose from so late in the season. We set up camp, and had a bad discovery. The reason I felt my front breaks not working properly, was due to my right front fork leaking a large amount of oil – bummer. Right into the front brake calipers. I wiped it up the best I could but I will have to limp carefully to Seattle where I can get it fixed properly. After setting up camp we had a beer and chips and dip at our site. By 8 it was pitch dark, so by 8:30 we figured it was bedtime. Hopefully these early nights will mean we’ll rise earlier?
–Zoe


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2 thoughts on “Day 171 Victoria, Canada to Hoh Rain Forest campground, USA”

  • Reply ↓
    Smeyers Danielle

    Back to blue skies and more beautiful pictures !
    Hopefully Zoe’s bike will make it to Seattle without too many worries. Crossing my fingers.
    Good luck Zoe.

  • Reply ↓
    Luc Adriaenssen

    Oh no, Zoë, now it’s your front suspension to leak! The mileage takes his toll on the horses, maybe a pit stop will be required, not before Seattle you said?
    Back out of “civilized” world in the forests for the time being, the end of the trip will be a trying experience.
    So, they make replicas of Harleys? Well, some like it fake.
    I like your campsite lighting, looks already like Christmas 😉
    2.5 months to go and counting the days.
    Baci on the same Sunday