The Event

Olympia Traverse is an endurance multi-sport challenge that celebrates the life journey of salmon. Soloists, tandem and relay teams compete for survival on the course that demonstrates the urban and natural challenges that salmon face in their journey.

The course begins in the Capitol Forest outside of Olympia and winds through the woods to Mima Falls Trailhead. Flowing roads give a scenic tour of the county along Waddell Creek Rd to Delphi Rd onto Evergreen Parkway passing by Evergreen College campus winding into the City of Olympia- showcasing the natural downtown beauty of Olympia. From the new West Bay Park, paddlers will launch into Budd Inlet and wind around to Swantown.

The finish brings it all together with the complete team finishing downtown together at the Fish Tale Brewpub.

Each Traverse participant (SPAWNER) is encouraged to choose an environmental group or related non-profit. The group that they choose will be whom they will be raising funds for through pledges. This event is unique in that participants have the opportunity to choose the group that their pledges will benefit. 100% of what is raised goes directly to the group of choice. Check out the List of Charities.

To encourage people to raise money, we have "The Bait" donated by local companies.
The People
A volunteer group of Olympians, led by Trey Wilson, have partnered with Puget Sound Events to make this a reality. There are numerous volunteers that are helpings to make this event a success in its first year. Let us know if you'd like to help.


The Story
It started with an email from Trey Wilson to the organizers of the Bellingham Traverse. The message read, "I have done the (Bellingham) Traverse the last couple of years as a member of the Sock Eye Reds and we have enjoyed it so much we have been inspired to organize a similar type event here in Olympia." One conversation lead to another and the next thing you know the Olympia Traverse was born.