Olympus: Elk Lake & Glacier Meadows shelters

[Bigtree]

Will be attempting Olympus next weekend with friends and we're undecided about tent vs. bivy. Would appreciate it if anyone can advise if the shelters at Elk Lake and Glacier Meadows will fit 4 men? Hard to tell from the few pics on the web.

 

Thanks.

[turnpikegates]

You could always give the Wilderness Information Center for ONP in Port Angeles a call. If you get the right ranger on the phone, they will probably give you a straight answer. Generally, the park suggests that trail shelters are a cultural resource and should only be used by wilderness travelers in a true emergency.

 

My experience has been that most of the shelters in ONP are large enough for your needs, so long as they haven't been crushed by massive blowdown.

 

See Here:

 

http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7963518&highlight=olympic+shelters

 

The OP of that thread is a wealth of knowledge about the ONP trail system and will probably have your answer if the thread doesn't help you out.

[Bigtree]

Thanks. Good info there on that linky.

 

BTW, I have previously communicated with the rangers on other matters and they've been quick to respond and very helpful. Given the nature of this request though I didn't want to put them on the spot (i.e., emerg use only).

[turnpikegates]

Didn't mean to make the rangers sound unhelpful. I've always had great interactions with the rangers in Olympic and the the North Cascades. I have noticed, however, that some rangers are more likely than others to toe the line when it comes to what is official and what is commonly done by the public.

 

Hope you have a great trip. I've tramped all over the Olympics but I've yet to head up Olympus. Best of luck.