OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Olympic Hot Springs Road reopened Monday morning, but Hurricane Ridge Road and the Elwha Campground remained closed after weekend snow and rain.
Hurricane Ridge Road remained closed at the Heart O’ the Hills entry station after closing Sunday due to snowy conditions in the higher elevations, and plowing operations will not begin until late November, said Barb Maynes, Olympic National Park spokeswoman.
About 5 inches of snow fell on Hurricane Ridge, with trace amounts of snow still expected in the National Weather Service forecast.
Hurricane Ridge will reopen as conditions and staffing allows, Maynes said.
The winter plow season is being negotiated with the park’s partners, including the volunteers who manage the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area, and the plowing schedule will be announced around Nov. 13, she said.
She said the crews who operate the plows are still assigned to road maintenance in other parts of the park and are not available for plowing.
Olympic Hot Springs Road was closed Saturday and Sunday due to water running over the road near Elwha Campground during Saturday’s rainy deluge and high water in the Elwha River and its tributaries.
Maynes said the campground, which typically remains open year-round, remained closed Monday as it still had standing water, and park crews needed to clear parts of the campground of silt and debris.
Campers who planned to stay at the Elwha Campground can be accommodated at the Heart O’ the Hills Campground or at Sol Duc Campground, she said.
Updates for openings and closures at Olympic National Park are recorded daily and as conditions change at the park’s telephone hotline, 360-565-3131.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
