Kitsap Memorial State Park

August 16-18, 2020

Ballard to Edmonds Ferry (13.8 miles): Interurban to nice neighborhood roads most of ride. Last 2 miles on 104 busy road down to ferry, but manageable. Back up the hill looked like it had a shoulder part of the way, but didn't look fun.

Kingston Ferry to Kitsap Memorial State Park (~10 miles): Stopped in Kingston for take out lunch (Kingston Ale House) and ate at Village Green Park (quiet, benches, shade, porta-potty). On to 104 pretty quick; fast and busy but good shoulder. Took the Google Maps recommended route on some trails through the middle section - not fun! From Stottlemeyer Road NE, hopped on to access road G-2100. Steep hills then mountain biking path, Millie's Trail - not for lugging touring bikes. Popped out from Millie's Trail Trailhead on to Big Valley Road for a nice country road end to the ride. Recommend going north 104 to 3 or little further south, to take Sawdust Hill Road (this looked pretty hilly too) to Big Valley Road, if coming from this direction.

We decided that night to return to Seattle via Bainbridge Ferry to avoid riding on route 3 altogether. Good idea!

Kitsap Memorial State Park: stayed at camp site 36. Pretty decent site, good shade. Recommend trying for one of three bike/hike first-come-first-serve spots in a quieter, more forested area.

Kitsap Memorial State Park to Bainbridge Island Ferry (18.3 miles): Much better route! Take Big Valley Road to Poulsbo, able to continue on to Little Valley Road and other back roads through Poulsbo. Have to get on 305 before the bridge to Bainbridge Island from Lemolo Shore Dr NE. 305 can be busy, fast, but good shoulder. Takes you all the way across Bainbridge to the ferry. Bridge on to Bainbridge a little sketchy due to construction, but looks like putting in bicycle lane or light to push, and fairly short. The cars were nice and let us do our thing. Take a right onto Madison Ave about 2 miles from ferry terminal for a short reprieve from 305.

Seattle Ferry to Ballard (6.9 miles): the usual. Yesler to 2nd, etc.