Hiker Headlines: GiveBIG, WTA jobs, North Cascades grizzlies, Mountain Loop Highway

It’s April 25. GiveBIG early giving is open! WTA is hiring for a full-time volunteer and training coordinator. Timed-entry permits for all dates in Mount Rainier National Park this summer will be available to reserve on May 1. Permits will be required to park at the Dog Mountain and Augspurger Mountain trailhead starting April 27. A decision on restoring grizzlies to the North Cascades has been announced. Part of the Mountain Loop Highway has reopened after the winter season. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Trip reporter thebrink celebrated the partial reopening of the Mountain Loop Highway — between Deer Creek and Barlow Pass — with a hike on the Barlow Point trail.

GiveBIG early! Between now and May 8, you can give back to trails while being part of the Washington Gives campaign to support nonprofits throughout Washington. Your contributions support our work to maintain trails and get hikers outside. So, hikers, help us help you! GiveBIG today.

Now hiring: WTA is hiring for a full-time volunteer and training coordinator. This position ensures a positive experience for WTA’s volunteers by helping shape the trail maintenance volunteer program through overseeing training content and providing administrative support. They also play a key role in coordinating and facilitating our volunteer leadership programs. The position will be based in WTA’s downtown Seattle office on a hybrid schedule. The priority application deadline is May 26. 

Mount Rainier timed-access permits: This year, in addition to a national park pass or entry fee, 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. Permits for the last block of dates for both entrances (Aug. 1 - Sept. 2) will be released on May 1 at 8 a.m. At that point, reservations for all dates during the reservation window will be available. Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov.

Permits for Dog and Augspurger mountains: Permits are required to hike Dog Mountain and Augspurger Mountain on weekends from April 27 through June 16, as well as Memorial Day, May 27. They can be acquired by booking a ride with Columbia Area Transit — a ride on the shuttle to the trailhead automatically grants you a day permit to hike — or by reserving a permit online if you are driving yourself. About half of each day's permits are released 3 days prior to each permit date at 7 a.m. Each person needs their own permit, and remember that having a hiking permit does not guarantee you a parking space at the trailhead. 

North Cascades grizzlies: The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a decision today to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades. The agencies have not yet set a timeline for beginning the reintroduction of grizzly bears to the area. Updates will be published on the North Cascades National Park website as planning continues.

Mountain Loop Highway partial reopening: The Mountain Loop Highway has reopened from Deer Creek to Barlow Pass for the season. The highway is still closed between Barlow Pass and Bedal Campground on the east side of the loop. 

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