PORT ANGELES — Winter plowing season begins today on Hurricane Ridge Road.
The road is scheduled to be open Fridays through Sundays — and holiday Mondays — through March 29 unless the weather turns nasty.
Hardly any snow was present at the mile-high snowplay area Thursday, but the National Weather Service was calling for a few inches of white stuff at the Ridge today and tonight.
No activities are planned at Hurricane Ridge this weekend.
Olympic National Park plans to open the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center on Dec. 13.
Meanwhile, all vehicles are required to carry chains when traveling along Hurricane Ridge Road above Heart o’ the Hills campground from now through April 1.
Conditions can change rapidly along the 17-mile route from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge, and the road is subject to closure at any time.
“Having a set of chains in every vehicle gives an extra safety margin when road conditions worsen during the day,” Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said in a Wednesday news release.
Road and weather conditions are available on the park website, www.nps.gov/olym, or by calling the park’s road and weather hotline at 360-565-3131.
The winter plowing season follows a period of fall road maintenance for park road crews.
“After an active fall repairing potholes, clearing culverts and preparing for winter storms, it’s time to focus on snow removal and providing weekend access to Hurricane Ridge,” Creachbaum said.
Looking ahead to winter, park officials plan to offer ranger-led snowshoe walks at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from Dec. 13 to March 29.
A $5 donation is suggested for the 90-minute walks.
The Hurricane Ridge snack bar and ski shop, which offers ski and snowshoe rentals, is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays from Dec. 13 through March 29.
Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Ski, Snowboard and Tubing Area will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays from Dec. 7 through March 29.
It takes 3 feet of snow for the ski area to open.
In addition to winter weekends, Hurricane Ridge amenities, including the ski area, will be open daily from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4 as students are on Christmas break.
Visit www.hurricaneridge.com for more information on the ski area.
Park officials remind anyone trekking outside of the Hurricane Ridge area to consult the Northwest Avalanche Center or a park ranger for avalanche conditions.
Avalanche information is available at www.nwac.us.
Obstruction Point and Deer Park roads are closed for the season.
In the lowlands, the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at 3002 Mount Angeles Road in Port Angeles is open daily throughout the winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Christmas.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.