News Release Date: August 9, 2017
Contact: Penny Wagner, 360-565-3005

The Olympic Hot Springs Road in the Elwha Valley re-opened today above the Glines Canyon Overlook to the Boulder Creek Trailhead. Olympic National Park road and trail crews completed the demolition and removal of the Crystal Creek bridge on Boulder Creek Trail and installed an alternate route and foot log at that location to restore pedestrian access. Stock access on Boulder Creek Trail will be restored later this fall after additional rock work is completed.
 
Damage from a rockfall event in the winter of 2014-2015 led to the closure of the Crystal Creek bridge. Further erosion resulted in increased destabilization. Inspection by Federal Highways geotechnical and structural engineers last June determined the bridge was unsafe for pedestrian and stock use.
 
Permits are required for overnight camping in the Boulder Creek Camp area. Campfires are prohibited at the camp area and the hot springs due to extensive damage by visitors and subsequent revegetation efforts. Pets and bicycles are not permitted beyond the trailhead. For more information about backpacking and wilderness permits visit www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-permits.htm or call the Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100.
 
For current road and travel information, visitors should consult the park website at www.nps.gov/olym or call the recorded Road and Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131.
 
 
--NPS--
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Source & Attribution

Originally published by National Park Service on August 9, 2017. Original author: National Park Service.

Public domain: original U.S. National Park Service government news release. Photograph: New Crystal Creek Foot Log NPS Photo/D. Myers Public domain: credited NPS government photograph.

No claim to original U.S. Government works.

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