OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK REOPENS SECOND BEACH TRAIL

The 1.4 mile trail from LaPush Road to Second Beach was reopened on Thursday, April 12 by Olympic National Park (ONP) officials.

Visitors began hiking down to the wilderness beach on Saturday, April 7 after the Quileute Tribe reopened the trailhead to the beach, and a parking area along LaPush road used by hikers.

No agreement has been reached yet on a land dispute between the tribe and the park service that resulted in the closing of the trailhead in October 2005.

The ONP closed the trail because it was unable to maintain it without crossing the trailhead.

Last week a crew cleared the trail.

The Quileute Tribe recently reopened the trailhead and parking area, both of which are located on the Quileute Indian Reservation, a short distance east of the tribe?s village at LaPush.

?We are grateful to the Quileute Tribe and very pleased to once again welcome visitors to Second Beach,? said Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner. ?We continue to discuss possible solutions to the long-standing boundary disagreement along the reservation-park boundary.?

The Quileute Tribe is seeking to relocate some village residents to higher ground near the Second Beach trailhead. The village at LaPush is in a tsunami zone, and residents face possible devastation if a tsunami strikes.

Members of the park trail crew cleared the Second Beach trail, and say it is in good condition.
 
Without a way to reach the trail for maintenance or patrol purposes, Olympic National Park closed its portion of the Second Beach trail to all use.

Hikers are reminded that pets are not allowed on Second Beach or on any Olympic National Park trails. Leashed pets are allowed during daylight hours only at Rialto beach north to Ellen Creek and along the Kalaloch beaches between the Hoh and Quinault Indian reservations.

On the Web: Olympic National Park www.nps.gov/olym or call the Wilderness Information Center at (360) 565-3100.