DOWNHILL SKIING ISN’T all that Hurricane Ridge offers.
There are snowshoe walks, cross-country skiing and tubing for children.
The winter season’s ranger-led 90-minute snowshoe walks at Hurricane Ridge are available at 2 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday.
Space is limited, so people should register for the walks, which are less than a mile, at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk 30 minutes before the walk is scheduled.
A suggested $5 donation from each participant helps the park repair and replace snowshoes.
Advance registration is needed for group snowshoe walks, which are at 10:30 a.m. each weekend day.
Reservations are available by phoning 360-565-3136.
Tubing and sliding are permitted only for children 8 and younger at the Small Children’s Snowplay Area just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
Opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoe walkers range from open, level meadows near the visitor center to extreme terrain in the backcountry.
Those who want to travel beyond the immediate Hurricane Ridge area are asked to sign in at the registration box in the visitor center and be prepared for steep terrain and the possibility of avalanches.
Information about ski and snowshoe routes and trails is available at park visitor centers, the Olympic National Park website at www.nps.gov/olym or the park’s visitor newspaper, the Bugler.
Overnight wilderness camping is permitted in the Hurricane Ridge area with advance registration.
For information, phone 360-565-3100 or 360-565-3130.
Peninsula Daily News
