OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Five-day-a-week transportation is on the horizon for the upcoming all-week road to Hurricane Ridge.
All Points Charter and Tours owner Willie Nelson, the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the city of Port Angeles and Olympic National Park are working to transport passengers to the popular snowplay spot 17 miles south of Port Angeles as part of the new effort to keep the road to the Ridge open weekdays when weather permits.
Until this year, Olympic National Park kept Hurricane Ridge Road open Fridays through Sundays.
A city, civic and business effort to raise $75,000 to match federal funding pays for plowing the road on the remaining days — unless falling snow precludes the operation until the weather clears.
Starting in mid-December, Nelson’s 12-passenger bus will leave twice a day Wednesdays through Sundays from the Port Angeles Visitor Center, in front of The Landing mall at 121 E. Railroad Ave., and the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
“As it sits right now, we’ll be departing from the [visitor center] at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and the Vern Burton at about 9:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m.,” Nelson said.
“The Vern Burton will be a good place for people because there is free parking in the city’s lot there.
“We are looking at returning at about 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.”
The city will be using its senior services van for backup on days when Nelson and his bus might not be available, City Manager Kent Myers said.
The five-day transportation service will begin Dec. 17, when a “grand opening” will be held at the top of Hurricane Ridge to celebrate the fact that the road will be open seven days a week.
“We really look forward to being able to have that service for people,” Nelson said.
“Its intention is for locals and visitors who would like to go up and spend a few hours but don’t want or can’t drive themselves.”
The cost is $10 per person for the ride and a $5 fee to get into the park, said park spokeswoman Barb Maynes.
An Olympic National Park annual pass or related federal passes will cover the $5 fee, she said.
The park will keep the road open daily, except for avalanche danger and weather closures, this winter thanks to more than $75,000 in donations raised on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The National Park Service will contribute $250,000 to cover the rest of the anticipated cost.
Hurricane Ridge Road currently is on an “extended weekend” schedule open Friday through Sunday as workers are trained to properly plow the road.
The Park Service requires all motorists to carry chains past the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station about five miles south of Port Angeles.
The details of the Dec. 17 grand opening have not yet been set.
Because chains are required to ascend the Ridge, many motorists don’t want to drive it, said Russ Veenema, executive director of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Because about $2,000 more than the required $75,000 was raised to keep the road open, those funds will be used as a subsidy to help maintain service, Veenema said.
He did not have the exact amount on hand Sunday.
People arriving from Victoria via ferry also frequently are in search of a ride, Veenema said of Nelson’s shuttle service.
Reservations are accepted and encouraged, Nelson said.
To make a reservation or for more information, phone Nelson at 360-565-1139 or 360-460-7131.
For Hurricane Ridge weather information, a recorded hot line can be reached at 360-565-3131 or via the Internet at http://tinyurl.com/hurridge.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
