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Olympic Discovery Trail Reaches 30-Year Milestone

Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce
The Olympic Discovery Trail provides views of Port Angeles

The Olympic Discovery Trailis known as "pathway to the Pacific." It stretches across the North Olympic Peninsula, from Port Townsend to La Push. About 75 miles of the trail are made up of paved pathways, separate from roads. Another 60 miles of the trail exists as gravel path or along the shoulders of highways.

The trail exists because of the Peninsula Trails Coalition. It formed in 1988, after a rail company shut down its line from Port Angeles to Port Townsend. The people who formed the coalition thought the old railroad bed would be a great place for a bike ride, and they got to work.

Over 30 years, the Coalition's members have worked with 14 governmental jurisdictions, helping to secure grants. They've also gotten dirty -- repairing sections of the trail, installing signs, and building trailhead structures.  

On Sunday, the Coalition will celebrate its 30th anniverary with a volunteer celebration in Sequim. KNKX All Things Considered host Ed Ronco spoke with the Coalition's president, Jeff Bohman, to mark the occasion. 

Ed Ronco is a former KNKX producer and reporter and hosted All Things Considered for seven years.