News Release

Switchback and Sunrise Ridge Trails Reopen at Olympic National Park

News Release Date: August 8, 2023

Port Angeles, WA – The park announces that the Switchback and Sunrise Ridge Trails have reopened after a cougar attacked a child. The Lake Angeles/Heather Park Loop remains closed. See the attached map. Clallam County Transit will be resuming their stops at the Switchback Trailhead.

On Saturday, July 29, Olympic National Park was notified that an 8-year-old child was attacked by a cougar while camping at Lake Angeles, which is in the Heart O’ the Hills area south of Port Angeles. The cougar casually abandoned its attack after being yelled and screamed at by the child’s mother. Park personnel quickly responded and once the child’s medical condition was assessed and stabilized, the family was escorted back to the trailhead by park personnel. The child survived the attack with minor injuries and was taken to the local hospital for further evaluation. All remaining campers in the Lake Angeles area have been evacuated and access to the Lake Angeles and Heather Park areas are closed to the public until further notice.

The entirety of Olympic National Park is considered cougar territory and it is important for visitors to be prepared for an encounter. It is recommended that visitors not hike or jog alone, and to keep children within sight and close to adults. Leave pets at home and be alert to your surroundings when hiking. If you meet a cougar, it is important to not run because it could trigger the cougar’s attack instinct. Instead, people should group together, appear as large as possible, keep eyes on the animal, make lots of noise and shout loudly. Throwing rocks or objects at the cougar is also recommended.

Report all cougar sightings immediately to the nearest ranger station or park headquarters, 600 East Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362, [phone], [e-mail] or dial 911 in an emergency. For more information on how to respond to a cougar encounter, check here: Olympic National Park- Cougar Country

Lake Angeles is located in the Heart O’ the Hills area of Olympic National Park. It is south of Port Angeles and near Hurricane Ridge: Heart O'the Hills Area Brochure - Olympic National Park