OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Hurricane Ridge Road will remain closed through noon today — and maybe longer — as crews continue to monitor a slow-motion landslide.
The closure has blocked access to one of Olympic National Park’s signature attractions since Sunday.
“If all goes as planned, we hope to be able to open the road sometime tomorrow afternoon,” said Sue McGill, Olympic National Park deputy superintendent, Tuesday.
“Visitor and employee safety remain our highest priority, however, and we will open the road as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The slide is situated in an avalanche chute along the winding 17-mile route to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center.
Park officials said the slope appeared to be stabilizing Tuesday.
“The amount of rocks falling into the road decreased today, and our crew has begun improvements to the existing rock berm at the base of the rockfall chute,” McGill said.
Built berm
Park crews have built a berm on the mountain side of the road to shield the pavement from loose rock falling from above.
Park maintenance staff flew over the site on Tuesday to observe the upper slopes of the chute.
A Federal Highway Administration engineering geologist also visited the site Tuesday.
Road access to Hurricane Ridge has been blocked at the Heart o’ the Hills gate, about 5 miles south of Port Angeles.
The slide occurred just past the third and final tunnel on the way up the steep, windy road that was renovated last summer.
“The rockfall really seems like it slows overnight in the dark and the cooler temperatures and probably more moist conditions,” said park spokeswoman Barb Maynes.
“During the day, I think as things dry out and heat up, the rockfall begins.”
Park crews have been arriving at the landslide to monitor it at about 4:30 p.m. each day, Maynes added.
“Staff will continue to closely monitor the situation and hope to complete improvements to the berm early tomorrow,” McGill said Tuesday.
Short-term improvements will be made to the berm while long-term plans are made, park officials say.
The slide originates from near the summit of the ridge.
It is located about nine miles south of Port Angeles and four miles uphill from Heart o’ the Hills campground.
For updates on park road conditions, phone 360-565-3131.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
