No park entrance fees to Hurricane Ridge next two weekends

Published 3:45 pm Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Statement today from Olympic National Park:

Entrance fees to Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge will be waived

during the last two weekends of March, March 20-21 and March 27-28.

Entrance fees will still apply at other park entrances; camping fees will

remain in effect at the Heart O’ the Hills campground.

“We understand the importance of Hurricane Ridge to our local and regional

community, including anyone interested in snow sports, and we recognize the

impact caused by the recent landslide and road closure,” said Olympic

National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.

“To celebrate the road’s reopening and coincide with special events planned by Hurricane Ridge

Winter Sports Club, we are providing fee-free entry for the last two weekends of March.”

The Brad Stenger Memorial Citizen Races for downhill skiers and

snowboarders will be held on March 20 and 21, followed by the Strapless

Weekend snowskate event on March 27 and 28. More information about these

events is available on the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club Web site,

http://www.hurricaneridge.com/events.

Hurricane Ridge Road was closed on January 18 when a slope below the

roadway slid downhill, taking with it most of both travel lanes along a

100-foot long section of road. The contract to repair the Hurricane Ridge

Road landslide was awarded to contractor Port Angeles contractor Bruch &

Bruch Construction Inc. on Jan. 22 and the road reopened on

Feb. 26.

The total repair cost was initially estimated to reach $2.8

million. The final price is considerably less, at approximately $1.8

million.

“Not only was the project finished a week early, it came in under

budget,” said Gustin.

Weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road is open Friday through Sunday each

week during the winter; the downhill ski area and snack bar/ski shop are

scheduled to be open Saturdays and Sundays.

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk will be staffed and a guided snowshoe walk will be

offered at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; anyone interested in participating in the snowshoe walk should sign up in advance at the

information desk.

For information about visiting Olympic National Park, people may consult

www.nps.gov/olym or call the Olympic National Park

Visitor Center at 360-565-3130. The recorded Road and Weather Hot Line is

updated throughout the day with changes and can be reached by calling

360-565-3131.