Winter storms washed out a section of Olympic Hot Springs Road. Staff at Olympic National Park hope to install a one-lane bridge this summer./NPS

Spring is just around the corner, but Olympic National Park is still dealing with damage from one of the wettest, stormiest winters on record, leaving roads inaccessible and keeping some campgrounds closed for the summer.

While areas throughout the western Washington park were impacted, the Elwha Valley took the brunt of the damage. From November through February, the Elwha River experienced a 25-year flood, a 10-year flood, two 5-year floods and one 2-year flood. Precipitation measured 138 percent of normal, making this winter the fourth-wettest in the 75-year record at the Elwha Ranger Station.

The result: Olympic Hot Springs Road is closed to all motor vehicles at the Madison Falls parking lot, just inside the park boundary, as about 90 feet of road was washed out and additional sections were eroded and damaged by flood waters. In addition, both the Elwha and Altair campgrounds are closed indefinitely and not expected to open this summer, as they sustained extensive damage and loss of facilities. The road, however, is open to pedestrians, bicycles and horse riders, with a small, temporary bridge spanning the washout. Park staff is working to restore vehicle access, with plans to install a one-lane bridge this summer, though no timeline is set.

“It was a tough winter for park roads and facilities, and we are doing our best to repair and reopen areas that were damaged by floods and storms,” Olympic Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said in a release. “It's still wintry at the park's higher elevations, and no matter the elevation, visitors should always be prepared for changing conditions, as rain and even snow are possible at any time of year.”

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be open on weekends beginning May 7, with daily staffing beginning June 20. Hurricane Ridge Road is open as weather and staffing allow. Hurricane Hill Road, the 1.5-mile of road that leads past the visitor center to the Hurricane Ridge picnic area and Hurricane Hill trailhead, and Obstruction Point Road are expected to open by mid-June.

Roads and campgrounds at Sol Duc Valley, Hoh Rain Forest, and three coastal destinations – Kalaloch, Mora and Ozette – are open. An exception is the Beach Four parking area and trail, which are closed due to erosion damage.

At Quinault Rain Forest, the North Shore Road has reopened after a washout last year, but Graves Creek Road is only open for the first four miles after sustaining severe storm and flood damage. Because of limited turnaround space, Graves Creek Road is closed to RVs and trailers. Where vehicle access ends, an interim trailhead has been established. Hikers accessing the East Fork Quinault Trail and Enchanted Valley will have an extra two miles of walking before reaching the regular trailhead. Horse and stock trailers must be parked at the intersection of Graves Creek Road and South Shore Road, adding six miles to the standard trip. Park crews expect to begin repair work to the Graves Creek Road late this summer, once river flows have dropped.

In Queets Valley, Lower Queets Road is closed about a half-mile below Matheny Creek (one mile before the end of the road) due to damage.

The Dosewallips Road remains closed due to a washout outside the park boundaries in Olympic National Forest, so access to the campground requires a 5.5-mile hike.

Several feet of snow remains on the ground at elevations above 3,000 feet. Even at low elevations, hikers are reminded to use caution and be aware of downed trees, trail damage, high and swift creek crossings, and changing weather conditions.

Although work wouldn’t begin until next year, the park is planning to improve two roads, including U.S. Highway 101, near Lake Crescent.