Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Annette Lake Trail Closure, New Youth Outdoors Funding

It’s July 27. Hike-a-Thon starts Aug. 1! As you’re planning your upcoming trips outside, be aware of some closures and new fire restrictions. Help share a sustainable trails strategy in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. And we’re excited about some new funding to connect youth with the outdoors thanks to the No Child Left Inside grant program. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Heads up! Annette Lake will be closed Mondays through Thursdays in August. Photo by madchamp.

It's Hike-a-Thon time! Join WTA and hikers far and wide for the 20th annual Hike-a-Thon, starting Aug. 1! If you plan to hike at all in August, we invite you to join in the fun, log your miles and connect with fellow hikers. Every hiker who gives or raises $25 or more will get a T-shirt. Hike-a-Thon was even featured on TV this week — check it out! 

Upcoming road and trail closures: When planning your next hikes, be aware of the following notable upcoming closures:

• The Annette Lake trail will be closed every Monday through Thursday from July 31 to Aug. 31 due to trail construction work. The trail will be open Friday to Sunday each week. This reconstruction project — which started last year through a partnership between the Forest Service, Mountain to Sound Greenway Trust and WTA — was funded through the Great American Outdoors Act. 
• The segment of the Wildside Trail on Cougar Mountain between the junction with Rainbow Town trail and the junction with Marshall's Hill will be closed from July 31 through Aug. 24 for bridge repair work. All nearby trails will still be open for use. 
• Forest Road 60 will be closed to all traffic between milepost 0 and 8.4 until early to mid-August. The road offers one route from Carson to Trout Lake — the Forest Service has provided alternative routes if you’re planning to travel in the area. 
• The Blue Stilly access area is closed to vehicle entry until Sept. 16 due to improper behavior and use of the area. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering closing the area to vehicles seasonally. 

More fire restrictions: With unusually dry weather in the forecast, fire risk is high. Active wildfires are being monitored by land managers, including two fires in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, so keep an eye on the Hike Finder Map wildfire layer and for closure alerts on the hikes you’re planning to head out on. Please be aware of the following recent additional fire restrictions and be safe around fires and stoves:

• The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has enacted fire restrictions on campfires and other burning in Western Washington. All campfires, recreational fires, rule burning, permit burning and charcoal and briquettes are prohibited on DNR lands in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, King, Mason, Pierce and Thurston counties. Stoves and fire pits fueled by propane or gas that can be shut off are still allowed. 
• Umatilla National Forest is implementing restrictions. Campfires will only be permitted in specific campgrounds and recreation sites. Stoves and heaters using gas or liquid fuel that can be shut off are allowed.

Share your thoughts: Gifford Pinchot National Forest is developing a sustainable trails strategy, and they want to hear from the public about what you value about trails in the forest. Read about the plan and submit your thoughts before Sept. 30. 

New No Child Left Inside funding: WTA has supported and continues to support the No Child Left Inside grant program, which provides funding to programs for young people to get outside. WTA and a broad coalition of organizations advocated for this program and legislators increased its funding in the current state budget. As a result, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission awarded a record number of grants this year. Those grants totaled over $6.7 million for 92 projects aimed at connecting underserved youth with the outdoors. 

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