PORT ANGELES – Jefferson County Public Works told us it was likely to happen, and now it has.

Access to the Hoh Rain Forest area of Olympic National Park via the Upper Hoh Road is closed indefinitely due to the river washing out the bank and collapsing part of the roadway.

We reported on December 20 that the Upper Hoh Road, which is maintained by Jefferson County, was thought to be in danger of imminent failure at milepost 9.7 because the river had crested and was eroding the bank near the roadway.

Eric Kuzma from Jefferson County Public Works told us at the time the road would remain open, but out of an abundance of caution, the County had narrowed the roadway to alternating one-way traffic.

That is no longer the case, and the road is closed to all traffic until further notice as the river has crested during this month’s heavy rainfall.

The Upper Hoh Road provides the only access to and from the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, campground, picnic area, and trailheads.

Kuzma told us Wednesday that the Quinault South Shore Road has also experienced a significant washout at milepost 1.3.

Go to co.jefferson.wa.us for updates.

(Photo courtesy of Ray Fortin via Friends of Olympic National Park)