With over two feet of snow at Hurricane Ridge, winter has arrived in the Olympic Mountains. Winter activities will begin next month at the Ridge; details on these and other park facilities are outlined below.

    “As visitors flock to the Ridge for a glimpse of winter, we remind everyone to use extra caution while travelling and playing in the snow,” said Superintendent David Morris.  “Even at lower elevations, winter conditions such as heavy winds, rain and cold temperatures require additional trip planning, as well as adequate equipment and clothing.”

    Hurricane Ridge Road  Barring heavy snows or winter storms, the Hurricane Ridge Road will be open 9 a.m. to dusk, Fridays through Sundays, December 18 through March 28, 1999. Road crews will work each Thursday to prepare for the scheduled Friday openings. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Hurricane Ridge Road will be open only if no plowing or sanding is needed and sufficient staff is available. Weather permitting, the road is also scheduled to be open daily during the holiday season from December 25 through January 3, as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18) and Presidents Day (February 15). Until December 18, the Hurricane Ridge Road will be open as weather and staffing allow.

    Even when the road is scheduled to be open, winter conditions common to Hurricane Ridge such as storms, drifting snow, or avalanche danger may delay or prohibit the road from opening or may force an early closure. For recorded information on Hurricane Ridge Road and weather conditions, call 452-0329 or tune to 530 AM in Port Angeles.

    **NEW** Snowshoe Walks Snowshoe walks for individuals and families will be offered December 18 through March 28 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day.  The walks last 90 minutes and cover about one mile. Space on walks is limited, so interested individuals should register at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk one hour before the scheduled walk.

    A suggested $2 donation helps cover costs of snowshoe repair and replacement.

    Organized groups such as youth or school groups must make advance reservations for snowshoe walks.

    Group walks are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and last 90 minutes. Space is limited, so groups should call the Olympic Park Visitor Center at (360) 452-0330 beginning Monday, November 30, 1998 for reservations and more information.

Tubing and Sliding  Because of the potential for serious injury, tubing and sliding is only permitted at two designated areas. Each area will be managed and monitored for safe use. The Sunrise Family Snowplay Area is located about one mile north of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and will be managed for use by children and families. The Tiny Tots’ Snowplay Area at Hurricane Ridge is designated and managed for very young children only. If at any time during the winter season, conditions become too dangerous for sliding or if adequate staffing is unavailable, one or both of the tubing areas will be closed to all use. In coming years, continuation of this activity will depend on both this season's safety record and future funding.

    Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, Snack Bar and Ski Shop  The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be open with rest rooms and exhibits available whenever the road is open. The information desk will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 18 through March 28, as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Presidents Day. The information desk will also be staffed daily from December 25 through January 3.

    Weather and road conditions permitting, the snack bar and ski shop will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 18 through March 28, as well as the two Monday holidays. These facilities will be open daily from December 26 through January 3.

    Downhill Skiing  The downhill ski operation will be open on weekends and Monday holidays from December 26 through March 28, as well as January 1.

    Campgrounds   The Heart O'the Hills, Hoh, Kalaloch and Mora campgrounds will remain open throughout the winter, with full services (running water and restrooms) available.  The nightly fee for these sites is $10, with the exception of Kalaloch campground, which costs $12.

    The following campgrounds are open, with primitive services available (pit toilets, no running water): Deer Park (walk in 2.6 miles), Dosewallips (road closed/walk in), Elwha (walk-in), Graves Creek, July Creek, North Fork, Ozette, Queets and Staircase.  There is no fee for these primitive campgrounds.  The remaining park campgrounds (Altaire, Fairholm, Sol Duc, South Beach) will be closed until spring.

 Park Passes and Entrance Fees  The Olympic National Park annual pass, which provides entry at all park entrance stations for one year past the date of purchase, are available at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center for $20.  The Golden Eagle passport, $50, which allows entry into most national parks and monuments nationwide, is also available. Either of these passes may be purchased as gifts and are good for one year past the date of purchase.

    Wilderness Use Annual Passes ($30 each, and $15 for an additional adult in household) may also be purchased as gifts, are good for one year after the date of purchase and are available by calling 452-0300.

    Entrance fees will be collected throughout the winter at the Hoh Visitor Center, as well as the Heart O’the Hills entrance station.