Hiker Headlines: Highway 20, Mountain Loop Highway closing; WTA closed Thanksgiving week

It’s Nov. 21. Heads up: Highway 20 is closed for the winter, and the Mountain Loop Highway and Mount Pilchuck Road are closing this week. WTA is also closed next week for Thanksgiving. WTA is currently hiring for 2025 seasonal positions. And Mount Rainier National Park has announced its major 2025 construction projects. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

The Mountain Loop Highway has been getting snow — and, as a result, is closing for the winter this week. Photo by trip reporter semajjat.

WTA break: WTA will be closed next week (Nov. 25–29) as staff spend time with loved ones and get outside. During this season of thanks and giving, we are especially grateful for your continued volunteer support, donations, and trip reports. Thank you for being part of our community! Have a wonderful week, and we look forward to connecting with you once we are back. 

Fee-free day: Next Friday, Nov. 29, is fee-free day and parking fees will be waived on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Looking for a fun fall adventure to take the whole family out post-Thanksgiving? Check out some of these hike recs. 

Winter highway closures: Be aware of two major highway (and one forest road) winter closures:

• The North Cascades Highway, Highway 20, is closed between Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and the Silver Star gate (milepost 171) for the season.
• Both the Mountain Loop Highway and Mount Pilchuck Road from the Heather Lake trailhead will be closed for the winter starting Friday, Nov. 22. 

WTA is hiring: WTA is currently hiring for seasonal positions on our 2025 trail crews! We are hiring for our Lost Trails Found professional trail crews: crew leaders, assistant crew leaders and crew members. We are also hiring for an adult volunteer vacation crew leader and a crew leader for our Mount Rainier National Park single-day and multiday work parties. 

Mount Rainier 2025 construction: Mount Rainier National Park has announced their two major 2025 construction projects: 

• The Ohanapecosh Campground rehabilitation project – funded in part by the Great American Outdoors Act, Recreation Fee revenue and the National Park Foundation — will upgrade various aspects of the entire campground. The campground is slated to open in time for the 2026 camping season. Visitors looking to camp in the park in the 2025 season can do so at the White River or Cougar Rock campgrounds.  
• The State Route 123 construction project to rehabilitate 2.8 miles between Laughingwater Creek and Panther Creek will take place over 2 years, funded by the Federal Highways Administration. The impacted road segment will experience delays in 2025 and 2026, and a full closure in September 2025. 

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