Olympic National Park will host Ride the Hurricane, a recreational cycling event on Sunday, August 6. To provide a safe experience for the event, Hurricane Ridge Road will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 12:00 PM. This applies to both uphill and downhill travel. The road will reopen to traffic at 12:00 PM when the event is concluded.
Access will remain open during the event on lower portions of Hurricane Ridge Road for the Lake Dawn residential area, Heart O’ the Hills Campground, and the Lake Angeles and Heather Park trailheads. Olympic National Park will waive entrance fees at the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station for the rest of the day on August 6.
The event will not affect the daily visitation quota established as a result of the recent Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge fire. Once the road reopens to vehicles at 12:00 PM, the first 345 vehicles will be permitted to enter. Clallam Transit will also be adjusting their shuttle schedule to accommodate the event. Regularly scheduled shuttles before 12 PM will be cancelled. Only the 12:45 PM and 1:45 PM departures from Gateway Transit Center and 1:45 PM and 3:45 PM return trips from Hurricane Ridge will operate.
Ride the Hurricane is an annual round-trip, rigorous cycling event organized by the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce with sponsorship and support from local businesses. The event begins at sea level near the Port Angeles City Pier and ascends the entire length of Hurricane Ridge Road, which offers breathtaking views of Olympic National Park. Participants must register for the event through the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about the Ride the Hurricane event, visit the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce website.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service