Olympic National Forest closes roads

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The Olympic National Forest has closed six seasonal gates on the south part of the forest, including on the 2451 road in the North Fork Skokomish River watershed; on the 2354, 2353, and 2361 roads in the South Fork Skokomish River watershed; and on the 2294 (two gates) in the Wynoochee River watershed.

The gates were closed Monday, Oct. 3.

According to Olympic National Forest, the gate on the 2270 road in the Wynoochee will close Nov. 1. 

The closures happen each winter season. The roads will remain shut down through April 30 as part of an agreement between Olympic National Forest and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Officials said the closures are done to help wildlife and habitat. The shutdowns are expected to reduce the siltation of lakes and streams, protect road systems, reduce harassment levels on deer and elk, and increase the escapement rate of buck deer and bull elk.

The closures extend only to the use of motorized vehicles (including electric bikes); accessing the road systems behind the gates via hiking or non-electric biking is still permissible.