OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A trip to Hurricane Ridge won’t cost a penny today as Olympic National Park celebrates the beginning of all-week road access to the popular destination.
The $15 fee to enter the park via Hurricane Ridge Road will be waived for the day, said park spokeswoman Barb Maynes.
The Ridge will remain open daily as long as the weather cooperates.
The all-week schedule was made possible by about $75,000 raised in donations and another $250,000 in federal funds.
Officials with the park and city of Port Angeles will meet at noon outside the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center to celebrate the new schedule, which is intended to increase tourism.
Also starting Friday is five-day-a-week shuttle service to the Ridge.
All Points Charters & Tours will provide the service twice a day Wednesdays through Sundays from the Port Angeles Visitor Center, in front of The Landing mall, 121 E. Railroad Ave., and the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
The departing times are 9:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m.
The cost is $10 per person. The fee to enter the park via the shuttle is $5.
If driving to the Ridge, always phone the Road & Weather Hot line at 360-565-3131 first to make sure a sudden snowstorm hasn’t closed the road.
All vehicles (including four-wheel-drives) are required to carry tire chains.
The Ridge offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, guided snowshoe walks and sledding. The Visitor Center there is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
