$75,000 opens Hurricane Ridge 7 days a week!

Olympic National Park has agreed to open the Hurricane Ridge Road 7 days a week if $75,000 can be raised from the community. 

If you can contribute contact
Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce
121 East Railroad Ave, Port Angeles WA 98362

Or donate tax deductable online at www.wnpf.org . Be sure to specify ONP and Hurricane Ridge Road.

Hurricane Ridge offers a spectacular backcountry experience as many on this board can attest.  Great views, lots of snow, plenty of terrain to go around.  Plowing the road every day should also make weekend access more consistent.

Help support backcountry access!  Donate today!

A link to an open letter from the mayor of PA is attached.

www.cityofpa.us/communityBrief.htm#Hurr

The appeal for money is more palatable with some stoke to go with it.  Here is some of what sits up there every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday every week regardless if it's blue bird or hurricane conditions.
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=16346.0
The Olympics can be seen from most of the Puget Sound area.  Every week we pray that it doesn't rain or warm up any new snow before the gate finally opens, and then pray it's not snowing too hard on the weekend.  Prayers don't seem to be too effective.
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=10159.0
This post is a nice summary of the highs and lows of the current  management
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=4043.0
Not too many places in the world where you can surf and ski the same day.  Not to mention kayak, mt bike, in the Dungeness desert (5" of rain so far this year), while there's 300 inches of snow on the Ridge less than 20 miles away.
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=4196.0
With the road open more than 2 days a week this trip and all the terrain it accesses becomes more doable.  One of the great ski traverses in the PNW.
www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...dex.php?topic=4039.0
In this case, the way the Park is matching funds, putting $100 in the pot equals $333 in return.  Instead of one lift skiing day next winter, donate your $60 to keep the Ridge open, then come over and get a return on your investment.  We need your help!

Thanks for posting this. I've only skied at Hurricane Ridge two or three times in my life, but this sure seems like a good cause.

A link to an open letter from the mayor of PA is attached.

www.cityofpa.us/communityBrief.htm#Hurr

I just read the open letter and saw that the deadline for raising this money for the winter of 2011 is August 15. Not much time! It would be really cool to see Hurricane Ridge more accessible in winter. The Mayor's letter is reproduced below:

Open Letter to the Port Angeles and Surrounding Communities

RE: Winter Funding to Keep Hurricane Ridge Road Open All Week

Posted July 7, 2010 - For the past several years the community has been talking about the desire for winter access to The Hurricane Ridge by keeping the road open all week during the winter.  There is a window of opportunity that has been presented to the community to partner with the National Park Service.

According to Olympic National Park (ONP) staff the additional minimum amount needed per year to keep the road open seven days a week is $325,000. The Washington , DC office of the National Park Service has offered to cost-share with our community for a three-year trial period by providing $250,000 per year, with a required community commitment for the other $75,000 per year. The project to raise the funds is now up to the residents of the Olympic Peninsula.

To coordinate the effort the City of Port Angeles along with the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to try and make this happen. This is the classic “if everyone gives a little then the end result is significant” scenario. If every resident of Clallam County contributed as little as $1.25 per year we could make it happen. While it is unlikely we will be able to get everyone to participate, this still shows how doable this funding request really is.

Hurricane Ridge is a huge component to enticing visitation to the Olympic Peninsula and having this winter access would certainly be beneficial to both residents and visitors to the area. We only have until August 15 to raise the funds. The reason for this short window of time is due to the process of hiring and preparation needed by ONP. If we miss the goal we will then ramp up for 2012.

A separate account has been set up for these funds. Corporate sponsor opportunities are available and can be arranged with Russ Veenema. Checks should be made out to either Olympic National Park or The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce and sent to the Port Angeles Chamber at 121 E. Railroad Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362 . If you wish to pay with a credit card please call Russ, Vanessa or Lindsey at the Chamber office to process or come in to the Chamber Visitor Center . Should the goal not be reached, everyone will be contacted to confirm if they would like a refund or will allow the money to be used for the 2012 effort.

In addition, the City and Chamber are willing to make presentation to local organizations about this fundraising effort. Please contact Kent Myers, City Manager at 417-4501 or kmyers@cityofpa.us if you would like a presentation made to your organization.

Time is definitely of the essence so please help us with the terrific partnership opportunity. For additional information contact: Russ Veenema 452-2363, extension 13, or Teresa Pierce at 417-4630 or tpierce@cityofpa.us

Sincerely,

Daniel A. Di Guilio
Mayor

Now two ways to give:

The PA Chamber of Commerce as noted above or...

Washington's National Park Fund is accepting matching contributions to keep Hurricane Ridge Road open 7 day per week in winter.  If the public contributes $75,000, National Park Service Headquarters in Washington DC has pledged $250,000.  So each $1 contributed by the public will be matched by $3.33 from the NPS! 

Checks should be made payable to "Washington's National Park Fund" with the notation "Olympic NP - Hurricane Ridge" and can be mailed to:
Washington's National Park Fund
PO Box 64626
University Place, WA 98464

For those who wish to make a secure online donation by credit card, visit wnpf.org and click the "Donate Now" button.  Select Olympic National Park and note this is for the Hurricane Ridge Road project.

Washington's National Park Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization; contributions are tax-deductible, EIN 01-0869799.

If you can get the current Park Superintendent of the MRNP, Dave Uberuaga fired by August 14th, I pledge $75,000 of my own money for the Olympic Park Road on Aug 15th.