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Enchanted Valley Chalet, 2004

EV Chalet, April 2014, by Ben Durrant

Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has selected Enchanted Valley Chalet for its 2014 list of Most Endangered Historic structures. The Chalet was nominated by Friends of Olympic National Park and Friends of Olympic Trails Shelters, and endorsed by Jefferson County Historical Society, Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and Olympians Hiking Club. Peninsula Daily News reports “Barb Maynes, Olympic National Park spokeswoman, said the trust's inclusion of the 84-year-old chalet shows the amount of community support that exists for saving the historic 2½-story structure. “It underscores that the chalet has local significance and there are a lot of people that care deeply about it,” Maynes said. A 4-foot section of the historic wooden structure, which stands within the park's wilderness area, was undercut by the Quinault River last winter. Maynes said park staff members have completed an environmental assessment that analyzes the impact of moving the chalet a short distance away from the East Fork of the Quinault River to keep it from falling into the flowing water. The assessment must be sent to National Park Service regional offices in San Francisco for review, Maynes said, and will eventually be released to the public for comment. “We do not have a firm timeline right now for release,” Maynes said.” The Daily World reports: "The fate of the chalet is in the hands of the Olympic National Park and its future remains uncertain. The chalet is also on the National Register of Historic Places and proponents of historic preservation, hikers and other citizens group want to save it, preferable by moving it within the valley. Park officials are conducting an expedited environmental assessment to consider the option of moving the chalet a short distance from the riverbank to prevent the structure from falling into the river. Park public information officer Barb Maynes said Tuesday that park officials are nearing completion of the assessment, announced April 18, and expect to have it out to the public for review soon. “The option under consideration hasn’t changed,” she said. A second assessment will identify a more long-term solution. Park officials must also consider that the chalet is located within a designated Wilderness Area, Moore noted. “While such designation does not prohibit proper care and stewardship for historic resources, past litigation has park officials wary of taking action that could be misconstrued as violating the Wilderness Act. In the meantime, chalet supporters simply want to ensure future generations can experience the chalet in its original context.” he said. Park officials are still negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement with preservation officials, Dr. Allyson Brooks, State Historic Preservation Officer confirmed Tuesday afternoon. This is not the first historic Wilderness structure named by the Trust, which in 2011 selected Green Mountain Lookout and was active in the successful campaign for its preservation. A short video highlighting the Trust's list has been posted here. Enchanted Valley Chalet segment begins at 10:22 and features Ted Sullivan (retired Ranger at Olympic, Glacier Bay and Gunnison NPs, Superintendent of El Morro NM), Jeff Monroe (Monroe House Moving), Carl Pangratz (retired NPS trail crew and Backountry Ranger, NPS volunteer Trails), Ernie Vail (retired NPS Trails foreman, volunteer), Dan Farrell (retired NPS Ranger, Quinault) and Rod Farlee (Friends of Olympic National Park, Friends of Olympic Trail Shelters, Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, NPS volunteer trails). Dave Skinner (former NPS Trails, volunteer), Clare Donato (retired NPS head packer, volunteer) and Wayne Gormley (retired NPS Quinault ranger) were also interviewed. The original video will be available in Olympic NP archives. For more on the Chalet's historical significance, see this thread.

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Save Enchanted Valley Chalet buttons

Save Enchanted Valley Chalet button

Supported by BCHW

Pick up your free Save Enchanted Valley Chalet button at any of these locations: Seattle Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, Stimson-Green Mansion, 1204 Minor Ave. Port Townsend Jefferson County Historical Society Museum, 540 Water St. Sport Townsend, 1036 Water St. Sequim Brian's Sporting Goods, 609 W. Washington Ave. Port Angeles Brown's Outdoor, 112 W. Front St. Regional Visitors Center, 121 E. Railroad Ave. Lake Sutherland Shadow Mountain Resort, Hwy. 101, 16 mi. west of Port Angeles Forks Visitors Information Center, 1411 S. Forks Ave. Olympic Sporting Goods, 190 S. Forks Ave. Forks Outfitters, Ace service desk, 950 S. Forks Ave. Sol Duc Valley Packers, 2094 Bear Creek Rd. Hoh - Peak 6 Adventure Store, 4883 Upper Hoh Rd. Queets - Queets Trading Post, Jackson Heights Dr. Quinault Quinault Mercantile, 352 South Shore Rd. Lake Quinault Lodge, 345 South Shore Rd. Rain Forest Resort, 516 South Shore Rd. Hoquiam - Olympians Hiking Club, Al Gregory Aberdeen - Gregorian Group, 200 W. Market St.