Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Highway 20 Repaving, Dog Mountain Trailhead to Move, Firework Safety

It’s June 30. Registration opens for WTA’s Hike-a-Thon on July 1. Some roads and parking lots on Highway 20 will be affected by a repaving project this month. Plans to move the Dog Mountain trailhead have kicked off. And, please help prevent wildfires this weekend. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Plans to move the trailhead at Dog Mountain have started. The project is partially funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, which WTA helped worked to secure to put more money into trail projects. Photo by Jamie Hutchinson. 

Hike-a-Thon: Registration for WTA’s 19th annual Hike-a-Thon opens July 1. Each August, hundreds of hikers participate in Hike-a-Thon to raise money and awareness for WTA’s mission by hiking throughout the state. WTA relies on donations to fund our work stewarding and championing the trails Washington hikers depend on. Hike-a-Thoners who fundraise and submit their mileage during the month of August are also eligible for a variety of prizes.

Highway 20 repaving projects: Cascade River Road, roads to Diablo Lake Overlook and Ross Dam Trailhead and the Happy Creek Nature Trail parking area on Highway 20 will all be impacted by a repaving project from July 5 to July 22. Make sure to check road closure statuses on the National Park Service website before heading out. 

Dog Mountain trailhead to move: The Forest Service has begun making plans to move the Dog Mountain trailhead to a safer location that will help with vehicle congestion and other traffic issues at the popular hike. The project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, which WTA has worked to secure for outdoor recreation infrastructure, and the Federal Highway Administration’s Federal Lands Access Program. Planning will likely take a few years, with construction to follow. 

4th of July fireworks: Happy 4th of July weekend! We hope everyone who chooses to spend time outside this weekend has fun and is also aware of fire safety. Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance ask the public to be safe and responsible in using fireworks, and the Forest Service and Park service would also like to remind the public that fireworks are prohibited on all federal public lands. And if you do head out hiking or camping this weekend, file a trip report to share current conditions on trail. 

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