Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Mount Rainier Permits, Great Backyard Bird Count

It’s February 16. Monday is Presidents Day, and parking fees in some areas will be waived. The Mount Rainier National Park early access reservation lottery opens on Tuesday. Part of the Cowiche Canyon Preserve has been permanently closed. The Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend. And, be prepared for snow this weekend. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Spend some time counting birds this weekend during the Great Backyard Bird Count! Photo by Bob Griffith.

Free day: Monday is Presidents Day. Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service will have their parking fees waived for the day.

Mount Rainier early access lottery opens: The early access lottery for Mount Rainier National Park reservations opens on Tuesday at 7 a.m. and will end on March 7 at 9 p.m. All remaining reservations will be available starting April 25. Read about the early access lottery process in advance so you’re prepared before the lottery application window begins.

Trail closures: 80 acres of trails at Rocky Top in the Cowiche Canyon Preserve have been permanently closed. This closure will eliminate access to some trails in the area, including the Orange Harvester, Green Harvester and Horse trails. A map of the closure can be found at the trailhead. Many additional trails are temporarily closed due to mud — check the Cowiche Canyon trail conditions for updated information.

Great Backyard Bird Count: Want to work on your bird identification skills and help researchers learn more about bird populations? Participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count from Friday through Monday. You can take part wherever you can find birds, which means it could be a great opportunity to enjoy some urban hiking and file a trip report for our #lovelocaltrails giveaway. (Looking for inspiration? Check out our Hike Finder Map to find some great local areas to explore.) 

Wintry weather: There’s snow in the forecast across the state — and possibly a decent amount of it even in low elevations! Be prepared early to mid next week for some slick roads and chilly temperatures. Make sure to check for current conditions and forecasts before heading out on a hike. 

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.