FORKS — Heavy winter rains continue to wreak havoc on trails and roads in the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park.
The latest victim is the Bogachiel Rain Forest Trail, where 350 feet of trail about one mile from the trailhead has been damaged or destroyed by the shifting Bogachiel River, the U.S. Forest Service said.
“With the help of partners, we expect to have the trail rerouted soon. We know it is important access as day-use for hikers and fishermen as well as those journeying into and out of the park,” said District Ranger Dean Millett.
The trail is a portion of the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, and leads from the trailhead on Undi Road 10 miles south of Forks through a portion of National Forest before continuing more than 25 miles into the national park.
It is currently open to hikers, who are warned to use extreme caution and avoid areas of the trail that have been undercut by the river. It is closed to livestock.
There are also trees down across the trail as a result of the river’s incursion.
According to the Forest Service, the trail is normally fully wooded with side trails leading to fishing areas and overlooks at the Bogachiel River.
In many areas, the river is now fully within view of the trail, said Molly Erickson, Forest Service permit administrator. She has hiked the damaged trail.
The Forest Service is planning to create a new route and is fast-tracking the process to locate a new location for a repair.
The repair would bypass a 300-foot section of trail at the one-mile mark and a 50-foot section at the 1.5 mile mark.
A permanent repair and graveling of the trail will have to wait for additional funding, she said.
Erickson said the Bogachiel River might continue to change its course and cause additional damage, and there is a chance a full half-mile section might eventually have to be replaced.
Park damage?
Portions of the trail in the national park might also be damaged, but park crews cannot reach those sections until lower trail repairs are made.
“We are not aware of any specific damage reports about the Bogachiel Trail within in the park, but certainly, whatever work may be necessary will be deferred until after the Forest Service is able to complete repairs on their portion of the trail,” said Barb Maynes, spokeswoman for Olympic National Park.
Several park roads, campgrounds and trails have been damaged by the winter rains, including the closure of Olympic Hot Springs Road due to a 60-foot washout. The Elwha Campground was severely damaged by flooding when the Elwha River reactivated a former river channel near the campground.
Park crews built a foot trail for hikers to bypass the Olympic Hot Springs Road washout and have plans for temporary road repairs in time for summer visitors.
For more information on the trail closure, phone the Pacific Ranger District at 360-374-6522.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
