Winter recreation seekers rushed to Hurricane Ridge on Sunday, forcing Olympic National Park officials to close the entrance road after the Ridge parking lot overflowed with vehicles.

It was the first day the Ridge’s two downhill ski rope tows were open for business, and clear, sunny skies combined with the holiday season to lure a large crowd of visitors.

“The parking lot at the Ridge was completely full with two rangers on parking duty,” Park Public Information Officer Barb Maynes said. “They started parking cars all the way down the hill to the tubing area.”

By 1:30 p.m., park officials were forced to close the gate at the entrance to Hurricane Ridge Road, Maynes said, and few vehicles left the Ridge until about 3:30 p.m. The Ridge’s normal winter closing time is 4 p.m. The park opens at 10 a.m.

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