Scooter Chapman
Catch a glimpse of ONP's dams? Take a hike
Published on Wed, Sep 15, 2010 by Scooter ChapmanRead More Chapman
It's the last dam summer, folks, and many of you have buttons from Olympic National Park proclaiming the fact.
Little did park officials know that one of the dams has turned into the most popular tourist attraction in Clallam County.
The Glines Canyon dam on Olympic Hot Springs Road was a mecca for Olympic Peninsula residents and tourists over the Labor Day weekend and, at times, one needed a parking attendant to handle all the cars whose passengers ventured up to see the structure for the last time.
Although the first block of cement isn't scheduled to come off the top until September 2011, much work has been done this summer and continues.
First, the Griff Creek work is done. It took $580,000 to dig up the road at the Elwha Ranger Station, build a temporary bridge, take out the old 5-foot culvert, install a 25-foot half-moon affair, cover it up, repave the road, take out the bridge and throw in a few stumps so returning fish can have a place to rest.
When more windfall money was found, the road to Olympic Hot Springs was closed at Glines Canyon and the old road was torn up and hauled away. They are building two new bridges, revamping the OHS parking lot and making a new trail to the old springs.
Lake Mills was closed as they constructed a big barge and hauled heavy equipment to the head of the lake where work is to begin to make ready for the dam to be torn down. It remains closed.
In the meantime, if you are planning to visit the site to see for yourself, plan to park at the ranger station and walk the mile and a half up to the dam. It's probably easier than finding a parking place.
Wednesday whirl
Let's take a swift look around the sports world ...
• Dawgs - After stumbling and bumbling at BYU, Washington stumbled and bumbled last Saturday against Syracuse before getting their act together to record a big win
Washington must improve its special teams play if the Dawgs are to beat Nebraska this week. Pick the Cornhuskers.
• Hawks - Did anyone see a huge Seattle Seahawks win coming over the division-favored San Francisco 49ers? Not this scribe. Granted the 49ers shot themselves in both feet early in the game, but Seattle's defense showed some spunk and the offense picked up the pace. Can they win at Denver this week? Maybe, but Seattle hasn't been a good road team.
• Mariners - The season can't end fast enough for the Mariners and their fans. One good game is followed by three ho-hummers.
• Ouch - I did not see Meridian's huge win over Sequim coming. Neither did the Wolves, folks. League play begins this week and look for the Wolves to start fast against Klahowya and finish strong.
Pick Bremerton over the penalty-plagued P.A. Riders, North Mason to beat North Kitsap and Kingston to beat Olympic.
Reach Scooter Chapman at scooter@olypen.com.
Little did park officials know that one of the dams has turned into the most popular tourist attraction in Clallam County.
The Glines Canyon dam on Olympic Hot Springs Road was a mecca for Olympic Peninsula residents and tourists over the Labor Day weekend and, at times, one needed a parking attendant to handle all the cars whose passengers ventured up to see the structure for the last time.
Although the first block of cement isn't scheduled to come off the top until September 2011, much work has been done this summer and continues.
First, the Griff Creek work is done. It took $580,000 to dig up the road at the Elwha Ranger Station, build a temporary bridge, take out the old 5-foot culvert, install a 25-foot half-moon affair, cover it up, repave the road, take out the bridge and throw in a few stumps so returning fish can have a place to rest.
When more windfall money was found, the road to Olympic Hot Springs was closed at Glines Canyon and the old road was torn up and hauled away. They are building two new bridges, revamping the OHS parking lot and making a new trail to the old springs.
Lake Mills was closed as they constructed a big barge and hauled heavy equipment to the head of the lake where work is to begin to make ready for the dam to be torn down. It remains closed.
In the meantime, if you are planning to visit the site to see for yourself, plan to park at the ranger station and walk the mile and a half up to the dam. It's probably easier than finding a parking place.
Wednesday whirl
Let's take a swift look around the sports world ...
• Dawgs - After stumbling and bumbling at BYU, Washington stumbled and bumbled last Saturday against Syracuse before getting their act together to record a big win
Washington must improve its special teams play if the Dawgs are to beat Nebraska this week. Pick the Cornhuskers.
• Hawks - Did anyone see a huge Seattle Seahawks win coming over the division-favored San Francisco 49ers? Not this scribe. Granted the 49ers shot themselves in both feet early in the game, but Seattle's defense showed some spunk and the offense picked up the pace. Can they win at Denver this week? Maybe, but Seattle hasn't been a good road team.
• Mariners - The season can't end fast enough for the Mariners and their fans. One good game is followed by three ho-hummers.
• Ouch - I did not see Meridian's huge win over Sequim coming. Neither did the Wolves, folks. League play begins this week and look for the Wolves to start fast against Klahowya and finish strong.
Pick Bremerton over the penalty-plagued P.A. Riders, North Mason to beat North Kitsap and Kingston to beat Olympic.
Reach Scooter Chapman at scooter@olypen.com.
© 2009 Sequim Gazette. All rights reserved. 147 West Washington, Sequim, WA 98382 • 360.683.3311 • Email the Webmaster