National Forests Free Next Two Saturdays

In recognition of National Trails Day on June 2 and National Get Outdoors Day on June 9, national forests have waived recreation fees.

For hikers, that means you won't need an annual or daily Northwest Forest Pass to park at trailheads the next two Saturdays. But this applies only to national forests. National parks and Washington state parks are not waiving their fees for National Trails Day but will on June 9 for National Get Outdoors Day.

So where can you go to celebrate and enjoy our trail system for free this weekend? Check WTA's recent Trip Reports is a good way to gauge conditions and see where people have been going. We have 160 reports from the past week alone! Here's a sampling of some great ones on national forest land:

• Snoquera Falls (Hwy 410 area) - fabulous gushing waterfall at its peak flow
• Kachess Ridge (Snoqualmie Pass - East) - loads of wildflowers on the sunny east-side of the Cascades
• Otter and Big Creek Falls (North Bend area) - Otter Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls around
• Upper Dungeness River (Olympics) - classic rainforest river walk - huge trees, roaring river, easy trail
• Goat Lake (Mountain Loop) - this picturesque alpine lake is one of the first to melt out each year
• Fourth of July Pass (North Cascades) - early season backpack up Thunder Creek in the North Cascades

So get out there and enjoy your trails!