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Hoh Rain Forest access road remains closed after December washout

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 8, 2025

By The Daily World

Olympic National Park The Upper Hoh Road in the Olympic National Park is closed after damage from heavy rains last month. The road is maintained by Jefferson County, who said the road is in danger of failure at milepost 9.7.
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Olympic National Park

The Upper Hoh Road in the Olympic National Park is closed after damage from heavy rains last month. The road is maintained by Jefferson County, who said the road is in danger of failure at milepost 9.7.

Olympic National Park The Upper Hoh Road in the Olympic National Park is closed after damage from heavy rains last month. The road is maintained by Jefferson County, who said the road is in danger of failure at milepost 9.7.
Mark Nowlin / The Seattle Times Sources: Esri, National Park Service

Olympic National Park’s Hoh Rain Forest area remains temporarily closed due to a damaged access road.

Heavy rains in December heightened the flow of the Hoh River, which is immediately adjacent to Upper Hoh Road. The waters eroded several feet of the riverbank, segments of the road’s barrier and caused the loss of at least one large tree, according to Jefferson County. The county announced the closure on Dec. 20.

The county determined the road “is in danger for imminent failure” at milepost 9.7, the National Park Service said. The county maintains the road and is working with state and federal partners to find a solution, it said online.

The Upper Hoh Road provides the only access to and from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center (closed for the season and scheduled to reopen in March), campground, picnic area and trailheads.

The road will be closed until it is safe for travel. The road closed in winter 2020 for repairs as well.

In addition, the Quinault South Shore Road at milepost 1.3 has been closed after erosion caused a loss of one-third of the road. Jefferson County is working with its state and federal partners to find a solution.

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