PORT ANGELES — The Heart ‘O the Hills entrance to Olympic National Park along Hurricane Ridge looked desolate this weekend as the road was closed due to heavy snowfall in the region.
The 17-mile road was closed by park officials Friday, the last day road and maintenance workers were able to make it to the snow stake for a reading of 28 inches of new snow on the upper road.
Additional snowfall on Saturday and Sunday made the drive along the road so difficult that one of the park’s four-wheel drive trucks with chains couldn’t make it to the top, said Park Ranger Kevin McCartney.
The National Weather Service estimated an additional nine inches snowfall Sunday, which could put the accumulated snow above 35 inches by today.
The road couldn’t be plowed, McCartney said, because the park hasn’t switched into winter mode and necessary staff wasn’t available.
The park’s winter operations meeting, where plowing schedules for employees are determined, isn’t until Wednesday, he said.