Elwha Valley Access Updates

Date: June 12, 2012

Whiskey Bend Road - Daily Closures June 25 - 29
The Elwha Valley's Whiskey Bend Road will close from 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily from Monday, June 25 through Friday, June 29 to allow safe passage for heavy truck traffic hauling material from the Glines Canyon Dam area.

The road will reopen each day at 5:30 p.m. and will remain open overnight to allow trailhead access before closing again at 7:00 a.m.

Altair Campground to Close July 2 - July 31
Contractors will use a series of controlled blasts to lower the Glines Canyon Dam in July, necessitating a safety-related closure of Altair Campground. The campground will close on the evening of July 1 and will remain closed through the entire month.

"Dam removal contractor Barnard Construction will be working steadily throughout the month of July to lower Glines Canyon Dam," said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Todd Suess. "With the rest of the summer work season restricted by 'fish windows', Barnard needs to maximize their efforts throughout July."

Controlled blasting will result in more a sudden water release than the hydraulic hammer previously used to remove Glines Canyon Dam. "While we regret the inconvenience to our visitors, safety concerns dictate that we must close Altair Campground for the month of July," explained Suess.

Visitors are reminded that the Glines Canyon Dam and the former Elwha Dam site are still active construction areas and are closed to all public entry.