A picturesque two-story chalet in Olympic National Park that helps give Enchanted Valley its name is being threatened by a charging river.
The Enchanted Valley Chalet — which predates the national park — is located along the East Fork Quinault River in Jefferson County.
Last October’s heavy rains dramatically changed the East Fork’s path, bringing it to within 20 feet of the chalet, Olympic National Park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said Wednesday.
Prior to the autumn storms, the river’s path was about 170 feet from the building.
Located 13 miles up trail from the Graves Creek trailhead, the chalet was built in the early 1930s and served as a lodge for hikers and horseback riders in Enchanted Valley, Maynes said.
Today, Enchanted Valley remains a popular wilderness destination and the chalet is used as a backcountry ranger station and emergency shelter for hikers.
The chalet is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places — if Mother Nature doesn’t decide to intervene.
