Winter 2024-2025 Bugler Newspaper

NPS Photo; M. Campbell

Welcome to Olympic National Park, where winter brings an abundance of precipitation. The landscape is transformed with snow-covered mountain peaks, fog rolling over rain forest valleys, and the sounds of rushing rivers and waterfalls. Follow these tips to embrace the season:

1. Check current road conditions. Flooding, landslides, severe storms, snow and ice can close roads and limit access to park areas.
2. Pack rain gear and extra layers. Expect wet and cold weather. A rain jacket and pants are essential. Bring a warm change of clothing.
3. Be cautious along the coast. Large waves can wash you off rocks or the beach into frigid waters. Avoid the beach during high tides, and never turn your back on the ocean.

 

Information
In case of emergencies, dial 911. Call for current park conditions.
Recorded 24-hour road information: 360-565-3131.
Visitor Center: 360-565-3130.

Weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open Fridays-Sundays and holiday Mondays in winter. All vehicles are required to carry tire chains.

Hurricane Ridge Services
Temporary trailers provide restrooms and a visitor contact station. The contact station is staffed intermittently Friday-Sunday. Be prepared to use your vehicle as a warming area. Pack extra food, water, dry clothing, and blankets or sleeping bags. No indoor warming area, food service, gear rentals, or potable water are available.

 

Children's Sledding Area at Hurricane Ridge

NPS Photo

Hurricane Ridge Activities

Sledding
Sledding is a popular activity at Hurricane Ridge, but it carries risks of serious injuries or death from collisions with trees, other sledders, or sliding into the road. For your safety, sledding is only allowed in two locations:
1. Children's snow-play area near the Hurricane Ridge parking, for children eight and under. Bring your own sleds! No metal runner sleds or wooden toboggans.
2. Tubing park, operated by the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area. Purchase tickets in parking area. Tubes are provided. Find more information about the tubing park at hurricaneridge.com.

 

NPS Photo

Snowshoe with a Ranger!

• Offered Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm.
• 1.5 hours, less than a mile, with 130 feet of elevation gain.
• Beginners welcome! Snowshoes and instructions provided.
• Dress in layers, wear warm waterproof boots, and bring hats, gloves and sunglasses.
• Sign up at the Visitor Contact Station in the Hurricane Ridge parking area at 1:00 pm on the day of the walk.
• First come, first served- walks are limited to 20 people.

Note: Walks may be canceled at any time due to operational priorities or safety concerns. For questions about program accessibility or to request specific accommodations, please call park staff in advance at 360-565-3130.

 

Hurricane Ridge Area in Winter

 

NPS Photo/ J. Burger

Trail Etiquette:
Do not snowshoe or walk directly on ski tracks. Stay to one side and follow posted signs on trails. This prevents damaging ski tracks, reduces hazards to others, and helps everyone enjoy this area.

Before heading out, check the current avalanche conditions at nwac.us. Backcountry users should wear an avalanche beacon, and carry a probe, snow shovel, and the ten essentials. Avoid avalanche terrain such as cornices, gullies, and steep lee slopes.

Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area
One of only three ski lifts in national parks in the country, the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is open Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays through March from 10 am- 4 pm, weather permitting. The ski area includes two rope tows, a poma lift and tubing park. Visit hurricaneridge.com for more information.

 

Skiing and Snowshoeing Routes

Easy

The Meadows: Beginners can enjoy the gentle, open meadows above the Hurricane Ridge parking area. Exposed to sun and wind, the meadows can be icy or wind packed.

Moderate

Hurricane Hill Road (1.3 mi/2.1 km one way): Follow the unplowed road through sheltered forest, with mountain views in clear weather. Experienced users may continue beyond Hurricane Hill Road on the Hurricane Hill Route (see Difficult).

Wolf Creek Trail (8 mi/12.9 km one way to Whiskey Bend): Follow the Hurricane Hill Road for 0.6 miles (see above), then descend the Wolf Creek trail on the left through meadows and forests toward the Elwha Valley. The trail is rarely snoy at low elevations; users typically descend a few miles and return the same way.

Obstruction Point Rd: To Waterhole (3.4 mi/5.5 km one way): Park 0.5 miles below Hurricane Ridge parking are to access the winter route. Descend the steep meadow to the unplowed road. The first 1.5 miles are relatively easy and sheltered by forest. A steep climb continues to Steeple Rock and onto exposed slopes, which can be drifted, icy, and difficult to traverse.

Difficult

Hurricane Hill Route (1.6 mi/2.6 km one way): At the end of Hurricane Hill Road, climb 700 feet to the summit of Hurricane Hill. To avoid steep and icy sidehills, follow the ridgeline instead of the summer route. Stay off cornices that build up along the lee side of the ridge. In good weather, advanced skiers or snowshoers will be rewarded with spectacular mountain views.

Obstruction Point Rd: Waterhole to end 4.3 mi/6.9 km one way (Obstruction Point Rd is 7.8 mi/12.5 km one way): Follow the first 3.4 miles to Waterhole (see Moderate). Climb 900 feet over 0.5 miles to open slopes on Eagle Point. Enjoy mountain views in clear weather, but steep sidehills and exposure make this a difficult route. This route is recommended under good conditions for experienced skiers. Travelers beyond Obstruction Point should expect steep terrain with high avalanche potential.

Sunrise Ridge (2.1 mi/3.4 km one way): Climb to the right of the downhill ski area’s intermediate rope tow (stay right of the trees). At the top, follow a narrow ridge toward the south side of Mount Angeles. There are several avalanche prone areas on this route—check conditions and use caution. Stay off cornices that form along the ridge and side ridges. Scenic slopes on the east side descend to the Hurricane Ridge Road.

 

An unstable cornice on the Hurricane Hill snowshoe and skiing route.

NPS Photo/ J. Burger

Avalanche Safety

Olympic mountain terrain and weather create ideal conditions for avalanches. Before heading out, check the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast at nwac.us or the Visitor Contact Station in the Hurricane Ridge parking area for current local conditions. Backcountry travelers should wear avalanche beacons and carry a probe and snow shovel. Hazard levels range from low to extreme. Even during low-hazard conditions, avalanches can occur. During extreme conditions, backcountry travel should be avoided. Certain terrain features such as steep gullies, unstable cornices (see below), or dark cliffs on warm spring days, can increase the hazard. The survival rate for avalanche victims is very low.

If you observe an avalanche, take these steps in your rescue attempt:

• Ensure the safety of survivors.
• Mark where victims were caught and last seen.
• Quickly search downslope from the last-seen points for clues.
• Search the debris below the last-seen points by probing in a grid pattern with probes, ski tails or poles.
• Keep searching! The victim could be inches away from your boots.
• Send an extra person for help.
• If caught, make swimming motions and try to stay on top of the snow. As the snow slows down, push the snow away from your face to create an air pocket.

 

Overhanging shelves of snow, called cornices, form on the lee side of windblown ridges. They can be unstable, breaking off far from the edge. Stay back from ridge lines to avoid traveling on unsupported cornices.