PORT ANGELES — Ranger-guided snowshoe walks will be offered at Hurricane Ridge this weekend as part of the delayed opening of the mile-high snow-play area south of Port Angeles.
Olympic National Park will offer the guided snowshoe hikes on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays through the end of March.
Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to open for the first time this winter at 9 a.m. today. The park has been closed because of the partial government shutdown, which is lifted until Feb. 15, and windstorm damage.
“I hope that lots of people get up to the ridge and take advantage of the snow,” Olympic National Park spokeswoman Penny Wagner said Thursday.
Snow permitting, ranger-guided snowshoe walks are offered at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The walks last about 90 minutes and cover less than a mile.
Equipment rentals and instructions are provided. Sign-ups begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Hurricane Ridge information desk.
The cost is $7 for adults and teens 16 and up, $3 for children 6 to 15 and free for kids 5 and under.
Groups are limited to 25, park officials said.
Reservations for a morning snowshoe walk for school or community groups can be made in advance by phoning 360-565-3136.
Meanwhile, the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club plans to open the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The two rope tows, ski lessons and tubing hill will be available. The Poma lift will not be operating this weekend.
The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is scheduled to be open Saturdays, Sundays and President’s Day (Feb. 18) through the end of March.
All vehicles traveling to Hurricane Ridge in the winter, including those with four-wheel drive, are required to carry chains. Parking is limited.
Guests are encouraged to carpool.
Olympic National Park reported 54 inches of snow at the Hurricane Ridge sensor Thursday.
For Hurricane Ridge weather and road conditions, check the Olympic National Park hotline at 360-565-3131.
The automated message is updated at 8 a.m. daily.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@ peninsuladailynews.com.
