By Olympic National Park/Peninsula Daily News
LATEST ELWHA VALLEY access updates from Olympic National Park:
Whiskey Bend Road – Daily Closures June 25 – 29
The Elwha Valley’s Whiskey Bend Road will close from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. daily from Monday, June 25 through Friday, June 29 to allow safe passage for heavy truck traffic hauling material from the Glines Canyon Dam area.
The road will reopen each day at 5:30 p.m. and will remain open overnight to allow trailhead access before closing again at 7 a.m.
Altair Campground to Close July 2 – July 31
Contractors will use a series of controlled blasts to lower the Glines Canyon Dam in July, necessitating a safety-related closure of Altair Campground.
The campground will close on the evening of July 1 and will remain closed through the entire month.
“Dam removal contractor Barnard Construction will be working steadily throughout the month of July to lower Glines Canyon Dam,” said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Todd Suess.
“With the rest of the summer work season restricted by ‘fish windows,’ Barnard needs to maximize their efforts throughout July.”
Controlled blasting will result in more a sudden water release than the hydraulic hammer previously used in the removal work at Glines Canyon Dam.
“While we regret the inconvenience to our visitors, safety concerns dictate that we must close Altair Campground for the month of July,” explained Suess.
Visitors are reminded that the Glines Canyon Dam and the former Elwha Dam site are still active construction areas and are closed to all public entry.
How to follow the dam removal
1. Check in via the six webcams available at www.peninsuladailynews.com (click on the red-lettered link above “Breaking News”)
2. Clallam County and Olympic National Park have a trail to an overlook with interpretive signs above what was the Elwha Dam.
The short trail and overlook can be accessed from a gate just south of the Elwha RV Park on Lower Dam Road off state Highway 112. The public is asked to stay on the designated trail and out of the construction area.
3. Walk on a lake bottom, without scuba gear. Thanks to the removal of the Elwha Dam, Lake Aldwell is no more. But exposed sand banks, old-growth stumps and other surprises can now be seen. Crews are actively re-planting the area.
Head west from Port Angeles on U.S. Highway 101 and take a right onto Lake Aldwell Road after crossing the Elwha Bridge. Drive less than a mile until the road ends in a small parking area.
Interested in other sights in Olympic National Park? Find out about the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive: http://tinyurl.com/olympicloop
