Hiker Headlines: Hike the State, Big Four Ice Caves, Longmire to Paradise Road

It’s May 2. Join WTA for Hike the State on May 21. GiveBIG for trails is May 7-8! Be aware of some closures that could affect your hiking plans, including a temporary closure of the Big Four Ice Caves trail. The Longmire to Paradise Road nightly closures are over for the season. There’s also some exciting campground news — many are opening up and one has just undergone a big improvement project. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

The Big Four Ice Caves trail is temporarily closed in May for maintenance work. Photo by Joseph Gonzalez.

Hike the State: Join WTA on May 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hike the State, where WTA staff will share fresh hike recommendations, plus offer tips for planning unforgettable adventures. We’ll have a trail for everyone at Hike the State, whether you’re completely new to hiking in Washington or are a seasoned hiker looking for new places to explore. This annual event is free and online. Register today! 

GiveBIG: GiveBIG is right around the corner! On May 7 and 8, we'll hope you'll join other hikers by making a gift to support WTA as we work to raise $140,000. Donations will support our work to help hikers get outside, including our busy summer trail maintenance season. Please GiveBIG for trails!

Closures: Be aware of some closures that might affect your hiking plans:

• The Big Four Ice Caves trail is closed from May 6–30 for maintenance work, funded through Legacy Roads and Trails. 
• The day-use parking lot and trailhead in Liberty Lake Regional Park are closed for the summer 2024 season. The park is still open, although hikers will only be able to access the Liberty Lake Loop Trail via the Idaho Road trailhead or start their hike from the Mackenzie Reserve.
• The Fairfax Bridge on SR 165, which provides access to Mowich Lake and Carbon River, will be closed in both directions from May 10 through May 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  
• Cleator Road in Larrabee State Park is scheduled to close for all traffic — foot and vehicle — between May 13 and 17 for maintenance, restricting access to the Rock Trail and Two Dollar Trail trailheads. 

Longmire to Paradise Road nightly closures end: The nightly closures of the Longmire to Paradise Road in Mount Rainier National Park have ended for the winter season. Please note that the road can still close at any point due to weather or road conditions. 

Campground news: Here’s some exciting news regarding campgrounds:

• Many campgrounds in Olympic National Forest are opening up this month! Dungeness Forks Campground opens May 10. Seal Rock, Klahowya, Hamma Hamma, Lena Creek, Big Creek, Campbell Tree Grove and Gatton Creek campgrounds open May 17. Several other campgrounds will be open soon after. 
• Willaby and Falls Creek campgrounds in Olympic National Forest are currently closed due to hazardous trees. They are slated to reopen after late May.
• Washington State Parks has expanded facilities at the campground in Schafer State Park, and it’s now open to the public. Improvements include new restrooms, road upgrades, landscaping and a new welcome center. Join Washington State Parks and the Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia (who supported this project) at the park’s centennial celebration on July 20 in the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.