Park readies for winter visitors, activities

The News Tribune
Last updated: November 13th, 2008 12:33 AM (PST)

The road reopened Friday after $12 million in work to repair storm damage and repave the road.

Among the changes is a new tire chain requirement. To improve public safety, all vehicles will be required to carry chains when traveling above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station on the Hurricane Ridge Road between Nov. 21 and May 1, said a park news release.

This requirement applies to all vehicles, including four-wheel drive, regardless of tire type. Traction tires or chains on vehicles may also be required depending on conditions.

“Having a set of chains in every vehicle that travels to Hurricane Ridge will provide a greater margin of safety when sudden storms arrive or road conditions worsen during the day,” superintendent Karen Gustin said in the release.

Barring heavy snows or winter storms, the road is scheduled to be open 9 a.m. to dusk Fridays through Sundays from Nov. 21 through March 29. The road will be closed Mondays through Thursdays during the winter season, except for Monday holidays and an extended period during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday.

During the holiday period, the road is scheduled to be open daily from Dec. 19 through Jan. 4, except for Christmas Day.

The road also is scheduled to be open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19 and Presidents Day on Feb. 16.

The road may be closed temporarily if the main parking lot becomes full, the release said. All vehicles must park within the Hurricane Ridge lot. Roadside parking is permitted only at the Sunrise Snowplay Area.

VISITOR CENTER OPERATIONS

The Olympic National Park Visitor Center, at the base of Hurricane Ridge Road, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be open with restrooms and a warm seating area whenever the road is open. Beginning Dec. 27, the information desk will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through March 29. The desk also will be staffed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day.

The snack bar and ski shop, with ski and snowshoe rentals, will be open Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 13 through March 29, along with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day and during the holiday period from Dec. 26 through Jan. 4.

SNOWSHOE WALKS

Snowshoe walks for individuals and families will be offered at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays, from Dec. 27 through March 29. Snowshoe walks will also be offered at 2 p.m. Dec. 26 and Jan. 1-2, the release said. The walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length. Register at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk 30 minutes before the walk.

A $5 donation from each participant helps the park provide snowshoe walks and repair and replace snowshoes.

TUBING AND SLIDING

Tubing and sliding are permitted only at two areas. The Sunrise Family Snowplay Area is about one mile north of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and is managed for use by children and families. The Small Children’s Snowplay Area at Hurricane Ridge is designated and managed for children 8 and younger.

DOWNHILL SKIING

Weather permitting, the downhill ski tows will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 13 through March 29. The ski tows will also be open Dec. 26, Jan. 2, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day.

Stay informed

Road and weather conditions: Recorded information about Hurricane Ridge Road is available 24 hours a day at 360-565-3131 or on 530 AM in Port Angeles.

Skiing: Information about downhill skiing at Hurricane Ridge is available at 360-457-2879 or www.hurricaneridge.com.

Originally published: November 13th, 2008 12:33 AM (PST)