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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:06 pm 
1949 Olympic NP Superintendent Preston Macy advocates a road from Staircase over First Divide and O'Neil Pass, down Enchanted Valley to Quinault. This is, of course, never built. See David Louter, Windshield Wilderness (UW Press, 2006) pp. 94-95.

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:07 pm 
1951 Olympic National Park purchases Enchanted Valley Chalet and Graves Creek Inn.

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:07 pm 
1953 Enchanted Valley Chalet renovation & Ranger Station "Enchanted Valley Chalet was put back into public use in 1953 when Olympic National Park superintendent Fred Overly visited the building and determined that public use had, so far, been satisfactory and that minimal fire and safety improvements to the building would render it useful once again. Over the next 30 years, the chalet served as a shelter for hikers passing through the valley" - NRHP

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:08 pm 
1953-1959 Enchanted Valley is the second most-travelled trail in Olympic NP, after Seven Lakes Basin.
Enchanted Valley trail sign*
Enchanted Valley trail sign*
O'Neil Shelter
O'Neil Shelter
Olympic NP Trail Use 1959
Olympic NP Trail Use 1959
* "Diane Dickinson, left, points out to her companion Rita Overly, the trail marker inscription that Enchanted Valley is 12 miles from the nearest road. Taken in June, 1953. In 1953 Overly, Dickenson and Cunningham (Seattle Times) visited the Chalet to decide it's fate. The girls in the photo with the sign are the daughters of Floyd and Fred. Cunningham took the photo (his son later became a NPS Ranger, Al Cunningham, who I worked with in the 70's). Floyd's folks operated the Staircase Resort and while stationed in the Quinault during the late 30's would hike Six Ridge to visit them on the weekends." - Donovan Rafferty Photo source: Olympic NP archives.

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:08 pm 
1973 Olympic Wilderness Proposal NPS proposes excluding 40-acre "Wilderness enclave" exclusions for Enchanted Valley Chalet to operate as a backcountry hostel.
Olympic Wilderness Recommendation EIS 1974
Olympic Wilderness Recommendation EIS 1974
Olympic Park Associates opposes this exclusion. The final EIS finds Enchanted Valley Chalet consistent with and includes it within the proposed Olympic Wilderness, which will wait to be enacted by Congress until 1988. Meanwhile, Olympic continues to be administered as Wilderness under NPS policies. Source: Olympic NP archives, document OLYM-3060

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:08 pm 
1983 Olympians renovate Enchanted Valley Chalet "Inadequate maintenance and administrative protection took their toll and made the structure vulnerable to decay and vandalism. In the early 1980s the second floor and attic were sealed off from the public while the ground floor housed seasonal ranger quarters. In 1983 the Olympians, Incorporated, a hiking club of Hoquiam, Washington, and the NPS worked cooperatively to stabilize and secure the chalet, thus extending the life of the building." - NRHP
Restoration 1982
Restoration 1982
Some Enchanted History
Some Enchanted History
1983 restoration
1983 restoration
Log Castle of the Enchanted Valley
Log Castle of the Enchanted Valley
"Some Enchanted History", the story of the "largest cooperative project between the Park Service and the public in the Northwest" to which Olympians volunteered over 2,400 hours and for which Friends of Enchanted Valley Chalet raised over $20,000 in community donations. To read, click on the image, then select "View Original". Articles by Bryn Beorse reproduced by permission of the author. Sources: Olympians archives; Olympic NP archives, Enchanted Valley Chalet folder (uncataloged).
Olympians 1983 p 1
Olympians 1983 p 1
Olympians 1983 p 2
Olympians 1983 p 2
Olympians 1983 p 3
Olympians 1983 p 3
The first-hand account of the restoration was written by Ann Moisanen, chair of the Conservation Committee, for the Olympians 1983 Annual. Planning and community fund-raising began in 1982 in cooperation with Dr. T. Allen Comp, Cultural Resources, Pacific Northwest Region, NPS. The major restoration work, over 2400 volunteer hours, was performed in 1983.
NPS Report 1983
NPS Report 1983
"The Olympians took on the task like a people possessed. They collected aluminum cans, held an oyster feed, raffled off a major piece of donated art, and put on a fund-raising campaign that had donations coming in from the entire Northwest region and Alaska. They began to sign up volunteers for work parties and, realizing the importance of a knowledgable foreman, asked Dr. Comp to locate and hire a full-time project supervisor with donated funds... "Work started in June when John Marshall, a Pocatello, Idaho contractor with the perfect combination of working skills and human sensitivity, started as field supervisor. Donated logs were cut to size by donated mill services; broken window sash were replaced with exact duplicates (in fact they were made and donated by the same man that made the 1930 originals!); donated or generously discounted building materials, mortar, bricks, ladders, paint, even a complete set of house-mover's tools, were assembled for transport and then taken by helicopter (paid for by the Olympian's funds) to the site. "With John Marshall at the Chalet, Olympian work parties appeared on schedule to spend a few days or a week working on the building. Seventy-two year old Olympian Helge Erickson's famous (and secret) pancakes fueled fourteen hour days while his ever-ready coffee pot and quick humor made the cook tent a welcome place for short breaks and good conversation. By the end of the summer, nineteen Olympians, seven others, and fifteen hikers that volunteered a day, contributed over 200 man-days on the Chalet. The Olympians also raised $7,000 in cash and nearly $5,000 in donated materials and the results are spectacular." - Dr. T. Allen Comp, NPS "End-of-the-year Report", 1983. The report above continues with an account of the many projects completed in 1984.
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation 1984 Award
Washington Trust for Historic Preservation 1984 Award
Landmarks v IV no 4 1984
Landmarks v IV no 4 1984
NPS 1985
NPS 1985
"The Olympians' work at the Enchanted Valley Chalet received unexpected recognition in October 1984 when the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation presented the Club with one of its three annual awards for the Club's accomplishments at the chalet... The presentation was made at the Governor's Conference on Historic Preservation at the Dalles, October 12th and 13th, 1984." Source: Olympians and Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:09 pm 
1984 Enchanted Valley Chalet is determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places by Gail H. E. Evans, Historian and Stephanie Toothman, Regional Historian. Ref: Evans, PNRO Cultural Resources Inventory, NPS 1984, in NRHP.
Enchanted Valley Chalet, NPS
Enchanted Valley Chalet, NPS

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:09 pm 
1988 Olympic Wilderness designated by Congress, includes Enchanted Valley Chalet. Senator Dan Evans testified urging passage of the bill: "[During House hearings], a concern was raised with the effect of wilderness designation on the [ONP] backcountry shelters. It would be my presumption that designation of the park as wilderness by this act should not, in and of itself, be utilized as justification for removal of any of these structures from the park. Some of the structures may need to be removed for the purposes of environmental protection of the park. For others, repairs and stabilization may be warranted to insure the preservation of their historic integrity. Others may serve a substantial public purpose and should be retained for their benefits to public use." - 134 Cong. Rec. S16519 (daily ed. October 18, 1988) (statement of Sen. Evans).

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:10 pm 
2004 "Historic Enchanted Valley Chalet Threatened by Changing River Channel; Park Seeks Public Input Regarding Possible Protection Measures" "Olympic National Park is seeking input regarding the future of the historic Enchanted Valley chalet, located along the East Fork Quinault River in the southwestern corner of the park. Last October’s heavy rains dramatically changed the East Fork Quinault River’s channel through Enchanted Valley, bringing it to within 20 feet of the chalet. Prior to the autumn storms, the river’s path was approximately 170 feet from the chalet. "Because of the immediate threat to the chalet and the need for maintenance and rehabilitation to the historic building, the National Park Service will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to identify and evaluate feasible alternatives, including no action, for chalet preservation. The EA will include an analysis of the predicted future actions of the river." - NPS press release June 2, 2004
Enchanted Valley Chalet, 2005
Enchanted Valley Chalet, 2005

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:11 pm 
2005 Enchanted Valley Chalet Preservation Maintenance Environmental Assessment initiated. Paul Kennard, NPS regional hydrologist / geomorphologist, recommends "The only way to ensure the Chalet's safety, in the short term and with any degree of certainty, is to relocate it immediately."
Source: Olympic NP archives, Paul Gleeson papers, Enchanted Valley Chalet file (uncataloged).

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:11 pm 
2007 Enchanted Valley Chalet listed on the National Register of Historic Places "This 2-1/2 story, hewn, dovetail-notched log structure is significant historically for its association with the recreational development of the wild and remote interior of the Olympic Mountains, a theme important in Olympic National Park history (Criterion A). It is unique in that it is one of only two public resort structures that was built and has remained distant from road access: this fact epitomizes the wilderness theme for which the chalet was promoted and operated. The chalet is the only structure originally built as a public resort that remains standing in the interior of the Olympic range. Architecturally, the chalet is an excellent example of a log cabin building type, and it displays skilled craftsmanship and possesses high artistic value (Criterion C). It is the only known log structure of its size and scale on the Olympic Peninsula today. The Enchanted Valley Chalet retains a high degree of integrity in its location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. "The Enchanted Valley Chalet is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A, for its association with commercial interests to develop the recreational potential of the Olympic Peninsula's interior mountain wilderness. It is also eligible under Criterion C, for it represents a distinctive method of construction and design in log cabin building. The chalet exhibits a high degree of integrity in location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and meets the registration requirements set forth for this property type in the Multiple Property Documentation form for the Historic Resources of Olympic National Park." "Architecturally, the chalet is an excellent example of a log cabin building type, and it displays skilled craftsmanship and possesses high artistic value. It is the only known log structure of its size and scale on the Olympic Peninsula today. - NRHP

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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RodF
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:12 pm 
2009 NPS Restoration completed New shake roof, window sills and porch installed by NPS backcountry carpenter Don "Duck" Houk.
Olympians donation
Olympians donation
FONP Award
FONP Award

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:12 pm 
Architectural Details "Rectangular in shape; measures approx. 28 f x 41'; 2 1/2 stories; log wall construction, logs hewn on one side; diagonal-cut, dovetail corner joints; gable roof sheathed with cedar shakes; gable roof wall dormer on south elevation; pole purlins and supporting braces at gable ends; concrete foundation; 3-over-l and 6-over-l, double-hung sash windows with plain board trim and narrow, projecting sill, shed roof porch roof (east wall) and gable roof porch (north wall), supported by diagonal pole braces above ground floor doorways. Interior: T & G flooring on 1st, 2nd, and attic floors; 3 rooms on 1st floor, including kitchen, bedroom (ranger station) and large living room; 6 sleeping rooms on 2nd floor with T & G wall partitions; plank wall seats and peeled pole ceiling joists; simple newel post at base of 2nd floor stairs; 1 large room in attic with exposed peeled pole roof rafters. Alterations: gable roof and shed roof porches on north and east elevations added. Siting: located in large, grassy meadow." - NRHP "The Enchanted Valley Chalet stands today virtually unaltered from when it was first constructed in the 1930s. The only alterations include the addition of the gable and shed roof porch overhangs supported by log poles or knee braces on the north and east elevations (date unknown), and the preservation/rehabilitation work that was conducted in 1983-84 by the NPS and the Olympians hiking club, which involved in-kind replacement of rotted logs, repair of the foundation and installation of log infill in the original fireplace cut out. The spatial organization of the site, its response to natural features, circulation patterns and vegetation, materials, and overall feeling and association give this property a high degree of cultural landscape integrity." - NRHP
Enchanted Valley Chalet blueprints
Enchanted Valley Chalet blueprints
Note: for a more detailed PDF copy of the blueprints, e-mail RodF. Source: drawn by the Olympians 1983. Olympic NP archives, Enchanted Valley Chalet folder (uncatalogued).

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:13 pm 
2014 January 17 NPS press release Historic Enchanted Valley Chalet Threatened by Changing River Course; Park Assessing Options

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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PostSun Apr 06, 2014 8:13 pm 
2014 February - under construction

"of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" - John Muir "the wild is not the opposite of cultivated. It is the opposite of the captivated” - Vandana Shiva
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