The parking lot at Race Point lies beneath all that sand/NPS

As most folks know, the Northeast has endured a pretty tough winter, and it is taking a while to put things back together. At Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, for instance, several problems exist that could impact your National Park Week plans if they involve a trip to the seashore.

For instance, the stairs at Nauset Light Beach once again were lost during winter storms. There is currently no access to the beach from the parking area. The stairs are expected to be replaced in time for the summer season.

At Race Point Beach, heavy sand accumulation is limiting parking to outer sections of the Race Point Beach parking lot. A long walk in soft sand, with soft spots of deep sand, is required to get to the beach from the parking area, park staff say.

And, sections of the boardwalk along the Red Maple Swamp Trail are closed due to structural deterioration and safety concerns. If you visit the seashore in the coming weeks, check at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham for the current status of this trail.

For your own safety, remain out of closed areas.

Drifting sand offers a new view into the changing rooms at Race Point Beach/NPS