Hiker Headlines: Rainier and Enchantments lotteries open, WTA launches snow layer, volunteer backcountry trip preview

It’s Feb. 15. Lotteries for early access to permits for Mount Rainier and the Enchantments have opened. WTA's volunteer backcountry trip calendar will be available to preview tomorrow and Mount Rainier’s timed-access reservations open next week. Some closures might affect your hiking plans this week. Plus, we just launched a snow depth layer on our Hike Finder Map to help you plan your weekend. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Our list of backcountry trips is coming out this week — check it out! Photo by Mike Bellis. 

WTA backcountry volunteer work party preview: Interested in volunteering in the backcountry with WTA this summer? Complete the steps you need to be ready for registration, then preview our calendar starting Friday, Feb. 16 to find a trip to join! Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 24. Questions about these trips? Read up here, or register for our virtual Q&A on Feb. 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. 

Backcountry permit early access lotteries open: The early access lotteries for Mount Rainier National Park and Enchantments area backcountry camping permits have opened. The Mount Rainier National Park lottery closes on March 4 at 9 p.m. and the Enchantments area lottery closes on Feb. 29 at 11:59 pm. 

Mount Rainier timed-access reservations: This year, in addition to a national park pass, visitors to Mount Rainier National Park will need to have a timed-access reservation to enter the park through the Nisqually/Stevens Canyon and Sunrise entrances. The reservations are required beginning in May and July, respectively, and are for visits between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. You can make reservations for the Nisqually and Stevens Canyon entrances beginning Feb. 21. Sunrise reservations can be made beginning in April.

Hike Finder Map snow layer: We just launched a new snow depth layer on our Hike Finder Map and in our app! Use it to see where there's snow on trail, and how much there is. If you like to play in the snow, we recommend also checking out NWAC's Avy app. While our snow layer illustrates snow presence and depth, NWAC's offers deeper insight into snow load, stability, and avalanche risk — all crucial information whenever you're heading into the hills to play.

Closures: Be aware of the following closures: 

• Both lower and upper Mailbox Peak trailheads, the Old and New Mailbox Peak trails and adjacent forest roads are closed on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Thursday, Feb. 22.
• Dirty Harry’s Peak trail is closed in its entirety — including access to Dirty Harry’s Balcony and any rock climbing sites in the area — on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and Thursday, Feb. 22. 
• Millersylvania State Park is closed until further notice due to a power outage from downed trees and power lines. 
• Some trails in the Taylor Mountain trail system will be closed through March 29 for forest health work. Trails within the work area will be closed every day of the week, including Road K, Road I and Holder Knob. Road A trail be closed Mondays through Fridays, but open on the weekends. 

BE IN THE KNOW

• Keep up to date with Trail News, our monthly email newsletter.
• Search our Hiking Guide to find your next adventure.
• Check trip reports for latest conditions on trails. And if you go for a hike, file your own trip report.
• Sign up for Families Go Hiking, our email newsletter for families with plenty of tips on keeping kids busy.
• Sign up for Trail Action Network to stay up to date on issues impacting trails and ways to get involved.