Hiker Headlines: City Nature, Trail Wins, CATbus to Dog Mountain, Billy Frank Jr.

It’s April 29. The worldwide City Nature Challenge kicks off this week. The state legislative session wrapped up with big wins for trails. Hikers have a new transit option to get to Dog Mountain. And, a statue of Billy Frank Jr. will be placed at the National Capitol. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

During the City Nature Challenge, take time to stop and appreciate all the living things, like this salmonberry. Photo by wafflesnfalafel. 

City Nature Challenge: The City Nature Challenge will take place from April 30 to May 3. Anyone in Snohomish, Pierce or King Counties can take as many photos of living things as they want and upload them to inaturalist.org. The observations are then verified and become part of a large-scale biological survey of the region. 

Wins for trails: The 2021 state legislative session ended last weekend with major wins for trails and public lands. Important funding was secured for programs that support sustainable recreation and natural areas as well as equity in outdoor recreation. Learn more about the budgets and send a message to your legislators to thank them for supporting trails.

Take the CATbus to Dog Mountain: There’s a new way to get to Dog Mountain, and yes, it really is called the CATbus! Columbia Area Transit now offers routes from both Portland and Hood River to the Dog Mountain Trailhead. The Skamania County shuttle from Stevenson, is also another transit option. Both bus services come with a hiking permit, which is required on the weekends between April 24-June 13 and on Memorial Day.  

Billy Frank Jr. honored at National Capitol: It’s official, a statue of Billy Frank Jr. will replace the current statue of Marcus Whitman in statuary hall in the National Capitol. The statue will honor Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually tribal member and activist who fought for tribal fishing rights.

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