OLYMPIA — A historic chalet has been moved 68 feet from the eroding edge of a river in a remote wilderness area, Olympic National Park officials said Tuesday.
Contractors were expected to complete the relocation of the Enchanted Valley chalet over the next few days, and the lodge will be moved a total of 90 feet from the Quinault River, park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said.
The chalet is 13 miles from the nearest road in Olympic National Park in northwestern Washington state.
The 42-by-28-foot structure was built as a backcountry lodge in the 1930s. It has been used as a wilderness ranger station and emergency shelter.
Park officials said storms last winter and high flows led to the river’s main channel shifting by at least 15 feet, and recent photographs showed that the chalet was undercut by the river by at least 8 feet.
On Sept. 1, mules were used to transport equipment and materials, including hardware and tools. Steel beams and other large items were flown in by helicopter.
Monroe House Moving Inc., of Sequim, worked to lift the chalet off its foundation and started moving it Saturday and Sunday. It was moved an initial 8 feet east of its original location by Sunday, and by Monday it was slid an additional 60 feet.
Once the structure’s move is complete, the building will be lowered onto cribbing towers. Park officials then will assess the chalet’s final placement.
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