Crews reopen Pyramid Peak Trail at Olympic National Park | Bellingham Herald

Working with volunteers from the Washington Trails Association, the Olympic National Park trail crew last week reopened the Pyramid Peak Trail on the north shore of Lake Crescent.

Park officials were forced to close the trail last August because of trail damage and hazardous walking conditions in a slide-prone area, park spokeswoman Barb Maynes said.

The crews have since rerouted the trail around the active slide area. The new route crosses the slide area at a lower elevation, with the goal of providing safer and more sustainable travel, Maynes said.

The trail makes a steep climb to a World War II spotting tower that offers views of the lake. The 3.5 mile trail has an elevation gain of 2,600 feet from the trailhead on Camp David Junior Road.

For information on day hikes in the Lake Crescent area or elsewhere in Olympic National Park, check the “Trip Planning” section of the park’s website at nps.gov/olym.

RUBY BEACH A STAR

Anyone who has visited Ruby Beach on the western edge of Olympic National Park knows it is a special place. It has sea stacks, wide sandy beaches and is great place to take young children.

Well, the beach has garnered some additional attention as of late.

The beach was named No. 2 on Travel Channel’s 101 Sand n’ Surf Hotspots that first aired last month. Red Beach in the Greek isles took the top spot.

The beach also was featured in Sports Illustrated’s recent swimsuit edition. Model Lily Aldridge is pictured on the beach, the rain forest and other nearby locations. Wisely, Aldridge was not required to pose in the frigid ocean waters.

The team putting together the magazine’s swimsuit edition traveled more than 1,000 miles on the West Coast, shooting at various locations, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

A WOMAN’S VIEW

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Living Voices are celebrating International Women’s Day with the premiere of “Klondike: The Last Adventure.”

The new production follows the journey of Eliza, a young woman who travels to the Yukon gold fields in search of adventure and fortune. The family event combines theater, video and live interactions.

The free performance will be held in the park’s theater at 2 p.m. March 8. Seating is limited. Additional performances are scheduled throughout spring and summer.

For more information, call 206-220-4240. The park is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Learn more at nps.gov/klse.