I just received this via email from the NPS.


Olympic National Park News Release


May 9, 2008
For Immediate Release
Barb Maynes 360-565-3005


Upper Queets Valley Reopens Via Alternative Route

Access into the upper Queets Valley will reopen this afternoon, Friday May
9, via U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Washington Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) roads.

The lower Queets Valley is still accessible via the Queets Road, which
leads approximately six miles to Matheny Creek. The Queets Valley above
Matheny Creek is accessible via the alternative route. Both access routes
are clearly marked at their intersections with Highway 101.

The Queets Road closed to traffic in March 2005, when a rock slide undercut
the road bed, rendering it unsafe for vehicles. In January 2006, an even
larger slide at the same site completely wiped out 150 feet of the road,
leaving a 200-foot deep chasm and closing the area to pedestrian traffic as
well.

An environmental assessment, completed in spring 2007, examined the effects
of establishing an alternative route using existing USFS and DNR roads.

Over the past year, park crews have made a number of improvements to the
alternative access route, including installing a bridge, installing signs,
and clearing, grading and resurfacing the roads.

Although slowed by the past two winter's severe storm damage, these repairs
are now complete and access is restored to the upper Queets Valley.

The Queets Campground will re-open on May 16.




-NPS-

From what a park ranger told me last month the upper road will remain open year round. It's all good! I can't wait to hit that upper drift again.

It's about time.Can't wait to see the changes.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

P.S. along with everyone else.

Amazing. I was beginning to think it would never be open again.

Ain't it the truth!

Part of me is excited. Part of me is bummed thinking of all the dudes eager to get in an explore.....could be anything but a "pristine experience"; at least at first. Better, I guess, than being closed outright.

Is it practical/possible to bring a 22' trailer (camping) on the new road.
It has been years since I have been up the road, but as I remember it has some tight turns.

Me too,

You beat me to it.

Peace
Fly

I cant wait to get up there and explore the new ground! It should be fun I explored that area a few years ago but never was able to complete my fishing log!

This is just fantastic...

Cool, that'll make it "easy" to carry 12 beers up there in my truck instead of 3 in my backpack !

Lights out.