OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Hurricane Ridge’s winter schedule will begin the day after Thanksgiving, park officials said.
Hurricane Ridge Road will be open Friday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from this Friday through March 26, weather permitting, beginning Friday, said Barb Maynes, Olympic National park spokeswoman, in a news release.
Park crews are plowing snow from the road this week, she said.
Hurricane Ridge, which is 17 miles from Port Angeles and is at 5,242 feet, had 4 inches of snow as of Monday, with more expected later in the week.
Weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road usually opens at 9 a.m., but times vary according to road and weather conditions, Maynes said.
The road closes to uphill traffic at 4 p.m. and all vehicles must exit the Heart o’ the Hills entrance station by 5 p.m.
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. when the road is open.
The information desk will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. whenever the visitor center is open.
The Olympic National Park Visitor Center &Wilderness Information Center at the base of Hurricane Ridge Road at 3002 Mount Angeles Road is open daily throughout the winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the road is closed.
The road will be open daily from Monday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Jan. 2.
All vehicles, including four-wheel drive, are required to carry tire chains when traveling above the Heart o’ the Hills entrance station between Thanksgiving and the last weekend of March.
Winter storms can close or delay opening of Hurricane Ridge Road; high winds and blizzard conditions are not uncommon, Maynes said.
Road and weather condition updates are available on the park’s Road and Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131 or @HRWinter Access on Twitter.
Hurricane Ridge Road may also close temporarily if the parking lot becomes completely full. Park staff urge visitors to carpool and pay extra attention to making the best possible use of the parking area.
The Hurricane Ridge Deli and Rental Shop, with both ski and snowshoe rentals, is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays from Dec. 10 through March 26. It will be open daily from Dec. 26 through Jan. 2.
Ranger-led snowshoe walks for individuals and families will be offered at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays from Dec. 17 through March 26. The 90-minute walks are less than one mile in length.
A $7 fee will be charged for adults. Children from ages 6 to 15 will be charged $3. Admission is free for children 5 and younger.
Space on the walks is limited to 25 people. Visitors can register for the walks at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk beginning 30 minutes before the scheduled walk.
Organized groups such as youth or school groups must make advance reservations for snowshoe walks. Group snowshoe walks are provided Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays at 10:30 a.m. for groups holding reservations.
Space is limited, so group leaders should call Olympic National Park at 360-565-3136 for reservations and more information.
Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Ski, Snowboard and Tubing Area will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays beginning Dec. 4 through March 26. The area is also scheduled to be open daily from Dec. 23 through Jan. 2, expect for Christmas Day.
More information about the Hurricane Ridge downhill ski and snowboard area is available at http:// hurricaneridge.com/ or at 848-667-7669.
The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard area operates a tubing park; check the website for cost information, details and updates.
Tubing and sliding are permitted free of charge for children 8 and younger at the Small Children’s Snowplay Area just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
If conditions become too dangerous for sliding, the Small Children’s Snowplay Area will be closed, Maynes said.
Opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoe walkers range from open, level meadows near the visitor center to extreme terrain in the park’s wilderness backcountry.
Those who plan to ski or snowshoe beyond the immediate Hurricane Ridge area are asked to sign-in at the registration box in the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and be prepared for steep terrain and the possibility of avalanches.
Although close to town, Hurricane Ridge is subject to extreme winter conditions, including sudden storms, white-outs and avalanches.
Information about ski and snowshoe routes and trails is available at park visitor centers, the Olympic National Park website or the park’s visitor newspaper, the Bugler.
Overnight wilderness camping is permitted in the Hurricane Ridge area with advance registration. Winter camps must be at least one-half mile from the Hurricane Ridge parking area.
Overnight parking is not permitted at Hurricane Ridge; parking and shuttle options are explained at the time of registration.
More information is available by calling Olympic National Park Visitor Center &Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100.
Hurricane Ridge weather conditions are available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/olym. The webcam image is updated every 15 minutes (although severe weather can cause webcam outages), while weather station information is provided hourly.
