Olympic

Bugler Olympic National Park Summer Newspaper 2017 Strength in Diversity W hat does the word “diversity” mean to you? It can define our society’s broad spectrum of culture and ethnicity, or the wide range of choices in the toothpaste aisle. At Olympic National Park, diverse ecosystems invite exploration on a grand scale. The park’s variety of life—its biodiversity—also provides strength and resilience for the future. Olympic is renowned for its coast, rain forest and mountain ecosystems. Visitors often ask rangers, “What’s your favorite place in the park?” We typically dodge the question, because we don’t have just one. We have many favorites, and rarely are two alike. That’s diversity! This variety not only presents the challenge of where to explore on an all-too-short visit, it also influences the future of the park’s plants and animals. Biologically diverse communities, such as those found on the Olympic Peninsula, confer resilience to the ecosystem. This diversity is illustrated by the glacier-capped mountains towering just miles from the ocean, as well as the sodden temperate rain forest growing only 34 miles from dry oak savanna. In diverse communities, it is more likely that some plants and animals may have traits enabling them to cope with our changing climate. Or nearby habitats may provide suitable refuge, especially in a park of nearly one million acres. For instance, some species might move upslope as the climate warms. Such adaptable plants and animals could buffer the system against the loss of other less resilient species. In other words, diverse places don’t have all of their biological eggs in one basket. Sample the park’s diversity as you explore. Look for an Olympic marmot in a mountain meadow, or peer into a tide pool teeming with anemones, urchins, sea stars and more! With the challenges ahead, careful stewardship of our public lands will help protect the variety of life and landscapes for future generations. Every scrap of biological diversity is priceless, to be learned and cherished, and never to be surrendered without a struggle. Edward O. Wilson LAKES, LOWLAND FORESTS and RIVERS information, exhibits, Discovery Room, wilderness camping permits, bear cans, park passes, bookshop and trails. Heart O’ the Hills campground, five miles south, has sylvan beauty and nearby forest trails. Elwha (2) has many trails. Madison Falls, an accessible Lake Crescent (4) is a 624-foot deep shimmering glaciercarved jewel. Stroll the shore or the Marymere Falls, Spruce Railroad or Moments in Time trails. Lake Crescent Lodge and Log Cabin Resort offer restaurants, overnight lodging and boat rentals. Visitors enjoy Fairholme Campground and a nearby convenience store with boat rentals. Sol Duc (5) has many trails including Sol Duc Falls, a 1.6-mile round-trip walk from the end of the road. The campground has some reserved sites. Call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov for reservations. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort offers warm and cool pools, food and lodging. Ozette (9) offers boating opportunities, a small campground on the lake and trails to the coast. Staircase (11) offers a riverside campground, old-growth forest, a ranger station with exhibits, and several trails. COAST The wilderness coast provides a dynamic scene. Lower tides expose sea anemones, sea urchins, sea stars and limpets strategically arranged on the rocks. It is important to leave tide pool animals in their homes, as moving just one animal can injure it and disrupt an entire community. Mora (8) offers a campground less than two miles from Rialto Beach. Along the beach, you can hike 1.5 miles north to Hole-in-the-Wall. Other hiking opportunities include Second and Third Beach trails near La Push. See page four for road closure information affecting Rialto Beach. Kalaloch (7) offers an expansive sandy beach. Ozette (9) You can reach the beach on a 3.1-mile trail to Kalaloch Ranger Station has information, exhibits and a bookshop. Visitors also enjoy campgrounds, Kalaloch Lodge, a restaurant and convenience store. For advance reservations at Kalaloch Campground during summer call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Beach 4 and Ruby Beach are popular sites for tide pool exploration. Cape Alava or a 2.8-mile trail to Sand Point; both routes are partially on boardwalk. A popular 9-mile loop combines these two trails with a 3.1-mile beach walk. Near the ranger station are exhibits and a small lakeside campground. TEMPERATE RAIN FOREST Drenched in over 12 feet of rain a year, west side valleys nurture giant western hemlock, Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce trees. Moss-draped bigleaf maples create a magical scene that obliterates all sense of time. Roosevelt elk may linger along riverbanks at dawn and dusk. Hoh Rain Forest (6) offers a visitor center, exhibits, bookshop, maps, self-guiding nature trails and a campground. AT A D ST Sequim 3 104 N A L 3 Ferry 10 C A 7 PA C I F I C 11 Hoodsport O C E A N 5 Ferry 101 Seattle 90 D Look for interpretive exhibits along park roadways. Pick up a self-guiding trail brochure at various park trailheads and some visitor centers. Use this chart and area map, along with the park brochure, to create countless trip combinations for a memorable vacation. A 6 Highway 101 encircles the park and several spur roads lead to mountains, forests and coast. The center of the park, untouched by roads, offers incredible wilderness adventures. 2 5 Port Townsend 16 Sea-Ta Airport 101 Tacoma Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Wilderness Information Center (1) provide self-guiding trail, provides an easy interlude. Visit Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook to learn about Elwha River restoration. A nearby trail leads through revegetated areas that were once under a reservoir. Note: river damage floods closed both the valley’s former campgrounds. Forks 8 101 1 4 IT O views of glacier-clad mountains crowning miles of wilderness. Avalanche and glacier lilies, lupine, bistort and tiger lilies dance beneath stunted subalpine fir trees. High-pitched whistles announce the Olympic marmot, found only on the Olympic Peninsula. Black-tailed deer feed in summer meadows and migrate downslope when cold recaptures the high country. 101 UN 20 ED O mountain area in the park. At 5,242 feet, it is located 17 miles up a gently winding road from Port Angeles. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center offers information, exhibits, a 20-minute film, deli and gift shop. Picnic areas provide a chance to relax amid the breathtaking scenery. Along the trails you can capture Port Angeles N H Hurricane Ridge (3) is the most easily accessed A CA UND SO MOUNTAINS W elcome to Olympic National Park! Whether you are here for a day, two days, a week or more, many spectacular sights await your discovery in this vast and diverse wilderness park. OF FU C ET 3 Check park program schedules on pages 4 and 5 for ranger-guided walks and talks. 9 Victoria G 2 Plan your travel using the park area descriptions below and the map and chart on page 3. ST R JU AN AIT DE U 1 Stop by park visitor centers or ranger stations for information and park brochures. MILES & TIMES Are we there yet? Neah Bay 3 P TRIP TIPS for your Olympic adventures Summer 2017 ES Summer 2017 Ferry 2 Quinault Rain Forest (10) Ranger Station on the Quinault North Shore Road is not staffed, but has information and self-guiding trails. The USFS/NPS Ranger Station and additional trails are located on the south shore of Lake Quinault. Throughout the valley, visitors enjoy rain forest hikes, lake activities, several campgrounds, lodging and restaurants. 1 Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Wilderness Information Center (WIC) - Park information (360) 565-3130; WIC (360) 565-3100; 108 2 Elwha Ranger Station - 3911 Olympic Hot Springs Rd., Port Angeles, WA 98363; (360) 452-9191 3 Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center - Follow signs to Hurricane Ridge; no public phone 4 Lake Crescent, Storm King Ranger Station - 106 Lake Crescent Rd., Port Angeles, WA 98362; (360) 565-2955 5 Sol Duc, Eagle Ranger Station - 12000 Sol Duc Rd., Port Angeles, WA 98363; (360) 327-3534 6 Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center - 18113 Upper Hoh Rd., Forks WA 98331; (360) 374-6925. 7 Kalaloch Ranger Station - 156954 Highway 101, Forks, WA 98331; (360) 962-2283 8 Mora Ranger Station - 3283 Mora Rd., Forks, WA 98331; (360) 374-5460 See page four for details on May/June closures of the access road to Rialto Beach. 9 Ozette Ranger Station - 21261 Hoko-Ozette Rd., Clallam Bay, WA 5 3002 Mt. Angeles Rd., Port Angeles, WA 98362 Aberdeen 12 8 0:30 25mi 1:15 17mi 0:45 39mi 1:00 16mi 0:30 21mi 0:30 16mi 1:00 59mi 2:00 39mi 1:30 40mi 1:15 72mi 2:30 65mi 1:45 106mi 2:45 83mi 2:00 91mi 2:15 40mi 1:00 72mi 2:00 67mi 1:45 109mi 2:30 86mi 2:00 95mi 2:15 48mi 1:15 47mi 1:30 50mi 1:30 44mi 1:00 85mi 2:15 62mi 1:30 70mi 1:30 65mi 2:00 88mi 2:15 85mi 2:30 69mi 2:30 66mi 1:45 93mi 2:45 81mi 2:00 76mi 2:00 101 See page four for details on delays during the 3-year rehabilitation of Highway 101 along Lake Crescent. 98326; (360) 963-2725 Olympia 11mi 10 Amanda Park, WA 98523; (360) 288-2444 Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station - 913 N. Shore Rd., 120mi 2:45 80mi 2:00 33mi 0:45 70mi 1:45 104mi 2:45 105mi 2:15 143mi 3:15 123mi 2:45 128mi 2:30 11 Staircase Ranger Station - 150 N. Lake Cushman Rd., Hoodsport, WA 985482; (360) 877-5569 124mi 2:45 170mi 3:45 149mi 3:00 191mi 4:15 140mi 3:30 120mi 2:45 120mi 2:45 111mi 2:45 100mi 2:30 126mi 2:45 4 Summer 2017 Summer 2017 PROGRAMS & INFORMATION June 24 - September 3 See bulletin boards for additional programs and visit www.nps.gov/olym Road & bridge work will affect several areas this summer. Call (360) 565-3131 for current status. Elwha: There will be no public access above Glines Canyon for trail bridge work into mid summer. Lake Crescent: Starting mid July, expect weekday delays of up to 30 minutes on Highway 101; longer after Labor Day. Work will impact access to East Beach Road beginning in August. Check https://www. wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/ or follow @OlympicNP on Twitter. Mora: The road to Rialto Beach will be closed for 4 to 6 weeks in May and June for flood damage repairs. OZETTE PORT ANGELES NOTE: the main visitor center and WIC are being remodeled beginning fall 2017. These services will relocate around the corner to 600 East Park Ave. on September 5. Olympic National Park Visitor Center - Open daily May 1 - June 24: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; June 25 - September 16: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Information, children’s Discovery Room, park movie, bookshop, maps, exhibits, nature trails. Park information: (360) 565-3130. Recorded 24-hour road and weather updates: (360) 565-3131. Wilderness Information Center (WIC) - Open daily May 12 - September 30: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (until 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday from June 30 to September 9) Backpacking information, wilderness permits, bear cans. LAKE CRESCENT HEART O’ THE HILLS Storm King Ranger Station - Not staffed Evening Program - Saturday 7:30 p.m. See road construction warning! Ozette Ranger Station - Not staffed Heart O’ the Hills Campground amphitheater. Topics on bulletin boards. 101 Information on area bulletin boards. Junior Ranger Forest Activities - Saturday 10 a.m. beginning July 1 Join us for one hour of forest activities. Meet at the campground amphitheater. SOL DUC MORA HURRICANE RIDGE Eagle Ranger Station - Not staffed Mora Ranger Station - Open Friday - Sunday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. May 26 through September 3 Information, maps, wilderness permits, bear cans. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center - Open daily 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ELWHA See road construction warning! Elwha Ranger Station - Hours vary, staffed mostly on weekends. Information, maps on bulletin board. Accessible restroom. KALALOCH Kalaloch Ranger Station - Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday Saturday May 16 - June 24; daily June 25 - September 30 Information, exhibits, bookshop, maps. HOH RAIN FOREST 101 Beach or Tide Pool Walk - Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Times and topics vary with changing tides. Explore the shore with a ranger in this hands-on program. Schedule and location information on bulletin boards. Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center - Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. through October 1, reduced hours in fall Information, bookshop, maps, trails, wilderness permits, bear cans. Evening Program - Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 7:30 p.m. Kalaloch Campground amphitheater. Topics on bulletin boards. Dial 360-406-5056 then select from the options to learn more about Olympic National Park destinations. Press # to end the message. Press *0 to leave a comment. Elwha 1 2 Sol Duc Mora & Ozette Lake Crescent 3 Hoh 5 6 Kalaloch Quinault Staircase 7 8 9 4 Meadow Walk - Daily 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join this easy one-hour guided walk to explore life in the mountains. Discover wildlife, wildflowers and other features of the Olympic landscape. SEE THE STARS Discover the night sky Junior Rangers in the Rain Forest - Sunday 10:30 a.m. Discover something new about the plants, animals, and fish that live in the Hoh rain forest. HURRICANE RIDGE ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS Evening Program - Thursday - Sunday 7:30 p.m. QUINAULT RAIN FOREST Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station - North Shore Rd. STAIRCASE USFS/NPS Recreation Information - South Shore Rd. Staircase Ranger Station - Open 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday May 26 to September 9; additional hours as staffing allows Information, exhibits, maps, wilderness permits, bear cans. Not staffed. Information on porch. Open daily 8 a.m - 4:30 p.m. May 27 through September 4; Rest of the year open 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Information, bookshop, maps, wilderness permits, bear cans. Forest Walk - Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 2:00 p.m. Meet at bridge for 1 1/2 -hour walk by the Skokomish River. Discover Staircase! - Sunday 10:00 a.m. Meet at the ranger station for this 1/2 -hour talk about the plants, animals or history of Staircase. Fun for all ages! Park Overview 10 Learn about this amazing wilderness park at a 20-minute talk. Topics vary. Rain Forest Walk - Thursday - Monday 2 p.m. Meet at the visitor center for a 1 1/2-hour easy walk on the Hall of Mosses or Spruce Nature Trail. Hoh Campground amphitheater. Topics on local bulletin boards. Hurricane Ridge Terrace Talk - Daily 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ranger Rendezvous - Daily 11 a.m. Meet a ranger in front of the visitor center for a 20-minute talk about Olympic’s rain forests. Ranger Favorites - Tuesday 11 a.m, Friday - Monday 2 p.m. Drop by the Kalaloch Lodge Gazebo at any time during this 45-minute hands-on exploration of Olympic’s treasures. Bring your coastal curiosity. AUDIO TOUR Make connections... Information, maps, exhibits, orientation film, trails. The information desk is staffed daily 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The deli and gift shop are open daily 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Shorter hours in October; closes for season after October 15. Evening Program - Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/OlympicNPS Meet at the Staircase amphitheater. 101 Meet Master Observer John Goar at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center for a one-hour astronomy program with telescopes. Look for the rings of Saturn or a distant galaxy. June 22 through June 26 and July 13 through July 20 - 11:00 p.m. July 21 through July 26 - 10:30 p.m. August 12 through August 19 - 10:00 p.m. August 21 No program; total solar eclipse across America! August 22 through August 26 - 9:30 p.m. FULL MOON ON HURRICANE HILL Learn constellations from astronomer John Goar on Hurricane Hill. Meet at the Hurricane Hill trailhead. As the sun sets and the full moon rises, hike at your own pace up the 1.6 mile, partially paved trail, climbing 700 feet to the summit. John will point out constellations at the top. Bring flashlights and wear sturdy shoes. June 8 and 9 - 9:15 p.m. to about 11:30 p.m. August 6 and 7 - 7:30 p.m. to about 10:00 p.m. September 4 - 6:45 p.m. to about 9:15 p.m. If skies are cloudy, programs will be canceled. For program status, call the park recording at (360) 565-3131 after 2:00 p.m. the day of the program. 5 Summer 2017 Summer 2017 Entrance Passes $80 - Interagency Annual Pass $10* - Interagency Senior Pass (lifetime, age 62+, U.S. citizen/resident; *may increase in 2017) Free - Interagency Annual Pass Military (certain military personnel and dependents) For more information see www.nps.gov/olym. $8 per person per night $45 per person Annual Wilderness Pass Free - Interagency Access Pass (lifetime, disabled, U.S. citizen/resident) Notice - Marijuana is illegal in Olympic National Park. While limited recreational use is legal in the state, possession of any amount of marijuana or other illegal drugs remains illegal on all federal lands. SAFETY In case of an emergency dial 911. Park rangers, throughout the park, can assist you with safety or crime issues. Please help protect marine life. All living organisms on the beach and in tide pools are protected. If you encounter a seal pup on the beach, do not touch it. The pup does not need help and your actions could lead to abandonment by its mother. Filter or boil all backcountry water to a rolling boil to avoid infection by Giardia, a microscopic intestinal parasite. Pack rain gear and warm clothing. Hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of body temperature, may result from exposure to wet or chilly weather in any season. Pets are not allowed on park trails. This is for the safety of your pets, park wildlife and you! Ask for our pet regulations handout. Tread lightly please. Avoid walking on delicate vegetation by staying on trails. Help protect this beautiful wilderness park for future visitors. Bicyclists beware. Travel can be hazardous around Lake Crescent and other park areas due to heavy traffic, narrow roads or construction. Use caution. Ask for area bike route maps. Drift logs are dangerous! Avoid swimming in or walking near the ocean during storms or heavy surf. Tides change daily and can prevent hikers from safely traversing certain areas along the coast. Use tide charts to plan your safest hiking times. Have fun exploring nature with a Discovery Backpack filled with binoculars, guidebooks and more. Borrow a backpack at park visitor centers for a $5.00 donation. WILDLIFE Did you see that? (multiple federal lands) Wilderness Use Fees - overnight trips require permit Discovery Backpack N STEWA EA RD Interagency Senior/Access, Golden Age/Access Passes. $15 — Deer Park, Queets, North Fork, South Beach $20 — Fairholme, Heart O’ the Hills, Hoh, Mora, Ozette, Staircase. $24 + tax*—Sol Duc (* if reserved via www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777; $21+ tax & $3 optional donation if not.) $22 — Kalaloch (reservation period June 21 to September 24; make reservations at least three days in advance at www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777.) $10 — RV septic dump station in park campgrounds (Fairholme, Kalaloch, Mora, Sol Duc) Learn exciting secrets about the park. Become a Junior Ranger or Ocean Steward or both! Pick up a free activity booklet at park visitor centers and begin your journey. PI M Camping Fees - per site, per night. 50% discount with Junior Ranger Programs Park concessions offer food services, lodging and gift items at Lake Crescent Lodge, Log Cabin Resort, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and Kalaloch Lodge. Food and gift items are available at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and Fairholme Store. Boat rentals are offered at Lake Crescent. All facilities are operated seasonally, except Kalaloch, which is open year-round and Lake Crescent, which has reduced winter facilities. O LY Your fees support facilities and services at Olympic National Passes are on sale at visitor centers and Park. This year projects include repair of damaged trails and entrance stations throughout the park. roads, and new exhibits at the Hoh Visitor Center. Thank YOU! $50 - Olympic Entrance Fees - single visit up to seven consecutive days National Park $25— Vehicle (private) or $10 — Individual (foot, bicycle) Annual Pass Park Concession Services K Entrance and Recreation Fees EXPLORE Fun for all ages! 7 PA R INFORMATION OC 6 L CN AT I O N A Background E927 Royal Blue Details: Text Y800 Circle and Star Y139 Outline stacks and rocks #900 kelp and trees Y225 Green Sky and Waves Y308 Dark Rocks and Pelican Y239 Dark Brown Light Rock Details #733 Light Beige S Fairholme Store (Lake Crescent) .......... (360) 928-3020 Kalaloch Lodge ..................................... (360) 962 -2271 Lake Crescent Lodge ............................ (360) 928- 3211 Log Cabin Resort (Lake Crescent) ........ (360) 928-3325 Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort .................. (360) 327-3583 Cougars inhabit all elevations of the park where deer, elk and other prey are plentiful. Sightings are rare and usually fleeting. But if you encounter a cougar, make yourself large and loud, wave your arms or a stick, face the cougar and slowly back away. Please report all cougar observations at the nearest ranger station. Wilderness camping permits are available at the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) in Port Angeles. Permit reservations are accepted by fax or mail. For information about permits, reservations, tide charts, minimum impact, bear canisters and camp locations visit www.nps.gov/olym, e-mail Olym_WIC@nps.gov or call (360) 565-3100. potting wildlife can be a memorable part of your visit. Some animals are elusive and rarely seen, such as fishers and bobcats. Others, like deer, chipmunks, gray jays and non-native mountain goats, have become overly accustomed to humans. Their natural reaction should be to flee and not approach you, but some animals have lost their natural wariness. Do not follow when they move away. Thanks for keeping wildlife wild! • Stay 50 yards from wildlife. If they approach, scare them away with waving arms and loud shouts. • Never feed park wildlife. It is illegal, harmful to animals and hazardous to you. Animals fed by humans lose fear of people, which will alter natural animal behavior and may lead to aggression. • When camping or picnicking, secure food and trash from animals. Store these items in your vehicle, if possible. Diligent visitors have helped prevent dangerous interactions with bears. PARK PARTNERS NatureBridge is a private, non-profit educational organization located on the shores of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. Field science courses are offered for students. For information: (360) 928-3720 or www.naturebridge.org/olympic-national-park. Friends of Olympic National Park support the park’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for present and future generations. They promote understanding of Olympic’s ecological, educational, economic and recreational importance, and they work on park projects. Washington’s National Park Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to restore and preserve national parks in Washington. The Fund supports projects in Olympic, North Cascades and Mount Rainier National Parks, including promoting volunteerism and stewardship, and funding research and trail maintenance. Call: (206) 623-2063. Please mail donations to: 1904 Third Avenue, Suite 400, Seattle WA 98101 Discover Your Northwest is a non-profit organization that provides educational materials at park sales outlets. Proceeds support Olympic’s programs, exhibits and publications. Annual membership is $15. For more information, call the Olympic National Park Branch at (360) 565-3195. For an on-line store go to www.discovernw.org. Bookshop Coupon Discover Your Northwest bookshops are located throughout the park. Your purchases help fund educational programs at Olympic National Park. 30% Thank you for your support. non- members Valid on all merchandise except sale items. Expires 12/31/2017 DYNW members 15% 8 Summer 2017 Life Returns to the Elwha T he largest dam removal project in history was completed in 2014 and the Elwha River flows freely once again. After over 100 years, salmon have access to over 70 miles of habitat protected within Olympic National Park. For biologists and the public it is exciting to watch fish and plants colonize historic habitat. Biologists have observed Chinook, sockeye, steelhead, coho and bull trout swimming in the upper reaches of the Elwha River after passing through both the former Elwha and Glines Canyon dam sites. Snorkel surveys noted fish as far up as Hayes River, over 30 miles from the ocean! Pink and chum salmon, and Pacific lamprey were seen upstream of the former Elwha Dam site. The park and its partners continue monitoring fish numbers and distribution with snorkeling and radio tagging as well an exciting new tool—environmental DNA (eDNA). Fish eggs, sperm, feces, carcasses and even mucous leave behind an eDNA trail. Biologists believe analyzing river water for these eDNA clues could be a quick, cost-effective way to gather fish data. Biologists are helping natural revegetation with greening the once barren reservoirs by planting over 311,000 seedlings and sowing about 6,000 pounds of native seeds. Thickets of 25-foot alders, cottonwoods and willows, and carpets of other plants are helping to stabilize slopes and control erosion. Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer and black bears are feeding in the rich new habitat. Visiting the Valley The story of Elwha River restoration is ongoing. The now wild river is rebuilding habitat. But it is also moving across its floodplain; it washed away part of the road and forced closure of the valley’s two campgrounds. With a new temporary bridge and patched road, the valley is open to cars again. Stroll the accessible Glines Canyon Spillway Overlook with its exhibits on Elwha restoration and dramatic views to the river below. In late summer look for spawning Chinook salmon. Spend an hour or a day—the Elwha Valley has a lifetime of tales to tell. Rebuilding Habitat As fish recolonized upstream habitat, sediment and logs once trapped behind the dams headed downstream. All the stored sediment expected to erode downstream has been released. Along the way it is creating a more braided, meandering river and restoring spawning habitat. Of the millions of cubic yards of sediment, 90 percent has reached the Strait of Juan de Fuca, adding over 80 acres to the estuary. It is replenishing beaches, creating critical habitat for marine life including juvenile salmon and forage fish. A snorkeler surveys fish above Glines Canyon (left). Cottonwood, lupine and alder colonize the former Lake Mills reservoir (right). A Mountainous Challenge W hen local sportsmen released mountain goats from British Columbia and Alaska near Lake Crescent in the 1920s, they had no way of knowing the repercussions nearly 100 years later. Along with bighorn sheep, pikas, ground squirrels, lynx and others, mountain goats were not native to the island-like Olympic Peninsula. After 1938, when Olympic National Park was established, these goats and their descendants were protected from hunting. By the 1980s, over 1,000 mountain goats were impacting mountain plant communities. A park mandate is to protect native species and control or eliminate nonnative species, so mountain goats presented a challenge. The park has managed mountain goats with sterilization, live capture, active hazing in public use areas, and other techniques. Mountain goats crave salt and can become hazardous when they associate people with salt. In 2014, the National Park Service began developing a new plan to address goat impacts on park resources and visitor safety. Comments were gathered at public meetings. A draft environmental impact statement analyzing alternatives, ranging from no action to eliminating mountain goats in the park by live capture and/or shooting, should be released in 2017. There will be opportunities for more public input at that time. Managing non-native species is challenging, whether it’s Scot’s broom, Burmese pythons in the Everglades, or feral pigs in Hawaiian parks. This plan examines alternatives that will help Olympic National Park protect unique mountain communities and the visitors who enjoy them, while also contributing toward conservation goals for mountain goats in their native range in the Washington Cascades. Wallows, created when mountain goats paw soil to dust bathe, increase erosion in vulnerable mountain plant communities. Photos - Cover: John Chao (coast); Grant Logenbaugh (rain forest); Bill Baccus (glacier). Page 2: Bryan Bell (Hurricane Ridge & coast); Ty Karlovetz (Sol Duc Falls & rain forest); Jon Preston (salamander). Page 3: T. Karlovetz (Second Beach). Page 4: Jon Preston (green anemone). Page 6: Mike Keller (Lake Crescent). Page 7: Jon Preston (elk); S. Tassio (maidenhair fern). Page 8: Heidi Hugunin (snorkeler); Josh Chenoweth (vegetation); Roger Hoffman (mountain goat).