Hoh Rain Forest area to reopen today

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK – The Hoh River Road will reopen today after being closed for about six months for repairs from the effects of winter storms.

“We are very pleased to once again welcome visitors and park neighbors to the spectacular Hoh Rain Forest,” said Olympic National Park  Superintendent Bill Laitner in a written statement. 

The road has been closed since Nov. 6, when heavy rain and floodwaters severely damaged the road in three places. 

The most significant washout occurred at West Twin Creek, where a 65-foot- long by 25-foot-deep section of road disappeared during a brutal storm. 

A temporary one-lane bridge now spans the creek.

Two other creeks also flooded, damaging nearly 1,000 feet of road.

“It’s been a long winter, and we’re proud of all the hard work done by park crews to reopen this area,” Laitner said.

“We are also thankful for the efforts of the many partner groups who helped restore access to the Hoh, including Jefferson County, the local PUD, the Federal Highways Administration and private contractors.”.

Visitors are asked to use caution when traveling the road and visiting the Hoh area, as additional repair work will continue throughout the summer.

The one-lane bridge over West Twin Creek will require motorists to yield to oncoming traffic until a traffic light is installed later this month, Laitner said.

The Hoh campground is open and the Hoh Visitor Center will open Friday.

The center’s hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday through May 20. 

The center will then be open daily during those hours for the summer after May 25.

Park trails, including the Hoh River Trail, also sustained heavy damage during the fall and winter storms.

All hikers should check for current trail information by calling the Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100.

For road information, motorists should call the Olympic National Park recorded road and weather information line at 360-565-3131.