NEAH BAY — Access to Shi Shi Beach through the Makah Reservation remains officially closed until completion of trail construction.
The Makah Tribal Council is planning an official opening of the reconstructed trail, maybe as early as sometime in July, according to tribal chairman Nathan Tyler.
“We haven’t decided on the date, yet,” Tyler said.
The old reservation route to scenic Shi Shi Beach — a Makah word pronounced “shy-shy” — was closed by the tribe in 1991 because of liability and private-property concerns.
Shi Shi Beach, located just south of the Makah Reservation, became a part of Olympic National Park in 1976. The main access to the beach from the north has been through the reservation.
Work begun on the new trail last July. It bypasses private property while still passing through old-growth forest and wetlands.
During construction of the new trail, there continues to be no access to Shi Shi Beach from the Makah Reservation.
Once construction is completed, access to Shi Shi Beach will be opened to the public year-round. The parking lot for the beach access will be for day use only.
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