Published: Saturday, September 4, 2010
Hurricane Ridge road access lengthens
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National Park Service
A snowplow prepares the road for a winter’s weekend opening at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
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National Park Service
A cross-country skier enjoys the view at Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge.
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Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce
Snowshoers enjoy a winter hike at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
Olympic National Park has obtained funding to maintain the road to Hurricane Ridge seven days a week during the winter months of November through April, park officials announced Wednesday.
Usually, the road is open Friday through Sunday in winter, at a cost of $467,000 out of the park’s $13 million annual operating budget.
This winter will be the beginning of a trial period to provide daily access brought about by the efforts of a delegation from the city of Port Angeles to Washington, D.C., asking for adwditional funding to be added to Olympic’s annual budget.
The National Park Service agreed to contribute $250,000 each year for a two- to three-year trial period, with the community providing a matching amount.
The city has met its goal, with contributions from area businesses and organizations.
In a press release, Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin said the park will be able to hire the additional employees to maintain the plowing and maintenance schedules, but, “The winter season always brings its own challenges, however, so we know that weather-related closures will still occur.”
On average, the Hurricane Ridge Road is open about 80 percent of scheduled days in winter; the remainder are closed by inclement weather that can include hurricane-force winds, heavy snowfall, extensive drifting and avalanche.
More detailed information about the park winter road, facility and interpretive program schedule will be released this fall.
Herald staff
Usually, the road is open Friday through Sunday in winter, at a cost of $467,000 out of the park’s $13 million annual operating budget.
This winter will be the beginning of a trial period to provide daily access brought about by the efforts of a delegation from the city of Port Angeles to Washington, D.C., asking for adwditional funding to be added to Olympic’s annual budget.
The National Park Service agreed to contribute $250,000 each year for a two- to three-year trial period, with the community providing a matching amount.
The city has met its goal, with contributions from area businesses and organizations.
In a press release, Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin said the park will be able to hire the additional employees to maintain the plowing and maintenance schedules, but, “The winter season always brings its own challenges, however, so we know that weather-related closures will still occur.”
On average, the Hurricane Ridge Road is open about 80 percent of scheduled days in winter; the remainder are closed by inclement weather that can include hurricane-force winds, heavy snowfall, extensive drifting and avalanche.
More detailed information about the park winter road, facility and interpretive program schedule will be released this fall.
Herald staff
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