Just shy of six months since a potent storm knocked out three sections of the Hoh Rain Forest Road in Olympic National Park, the road reopens to the general public today.
     “We are very pleased to once again welcome visitors and park neighbors to the spectacular Hoh Rain Forest,” says Olympic Superintendent Bill Laitner. “It’s been a long winter and we’re proud of all the hard work done by park crews to reopen this area.”
    The storm that struck last November 6 washed out a 65-foot-long, 25-foot-deep section of the road near West Twin Creek and a combined 1,000 feet of road in two other places. To get the road reopened, a temporary, one-lane bridge spans West Twin Creek. Construction will continue through the summer, and visitors are being urged to drive with caution.
    The Hoh campground is open and the Hoh Visitor Center will open this Friday, May 4 and will be open 10 am – 4 pm Friday through Sunday through May 20. The Visitor Center will be open daily for the summer, beginning May 25.
   Park trails, including the Hoh River Trail, also sustained heavy damage during the fall and winter storms. All hikers should check for current trail information by calling the Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100.