Above-average snowpack means parks open later this year

• Published March 25, 2008

Olympic National Park just slogged through the second straight winter of heavy damage to roads and campgrounds, but most parts of the park will be open by April.

But Staircase — near Cushman Reservoir and the closest part of the park to South Sound residents — might open late this year because of heavy slide damage to the access road.

And higher-elevation trails might open later than usual this summer because of the heavy snowpack that built up during the winter.

"We still have two feet of snow at the Sol Duc Campground, and that's a lot of snow at that elevation for this time of year," said Barb Maynes, park spokeswoman.

Staircase usually is open from May through October, but the slides will take a lot of time to clear, Maynes said.

Part of the access road goes through Olympic National Forest, and the U.S. Forest Service is helping to clear the road.

The Staircase Campground lost five campsites to a raging North Fork Skokomish River in December, but the campground will still open this summer, Maynes said.

Staircase is now scheduled to open June 9.

No one is sure when Olympic's world-famous network of higher-elevation trails will open to hikers this summer.

Trail openings depend on how fast the snow melts and whether the runoff damages trails or bridges.

There is 10 feet or more of snow in the high country right now. The Deer Park area has 166 percent of the average snowfall for a winter.

Many lower-elevation trails are open and in good shape, but no one should even dream about heading into the high country right now.

Olympic National Park is kind of like a giant bicycle wheel. Highways circle the park, and access roads poke into the park like spokes. Trails are the only direct route to and through the high country in the middle of the park.

For up-to-date information on trails, a call to the Wilderness Information Center is the best bet. The center opens for the season Saturday. Hikers with questions can call 360-565-3100 or go to www.nps.gov/olym.

If you'd like to visit the park soon, your best bets are the areas on the coast, such as Kalaloch, or these spots: