Hiker Headlines: Historic Columbia River Highway closure, upcoming car-free hiking workshop and symphony concert

It’s March 20. Happy spring equinox! We have some fun hiker events coming up, including a car-free adventuring workshop and a nature-inspired symphony concert. The Historic Columbia River Highway has an extended closure. And some agencies are getting ready for wildfire season, which might affect your hiking plans. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Spring is here, and this bee is (and we are) here for it! Photo by trip reporter wafflesnfalafel.

Happy spring equinox! Hikers are beginning to see the start of spring blossoms and sharing beautiful pictures in trip reports. Planning your own wildflower or arboretum adventure? Post a trip report once you’re home so other folks know where to see colorful blooms! 

Upcoming hiker events: WTA has some fun events for hikers coming up — we look forward to seeing you there!

• Learn about how to take car-free adventure with Transit Trekker and WTA at an online workshop with the King County Library System on Wednesday, April 9, from 6–7 p.m. Learn tools, tips and tricks for planning your car-free outings. Get the scoop on some of the best transit treks near and far — as far as Alaska, even. Register online. 
• Join WTA and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra (NWSO) on Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Benaroya Hall for Crescendo: A Symphonic Celebration of Washington Landscapes. NWSO will perform nature-inspired orchestral pieces paired with photos from WTA’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with WTA staff and volunteers about WTA, including what you can do for trails, the benefits of membership and ways to get involved. Purchase tickets online. 
• Join WTA staff and volunteers on Wednesday, April 30, from 5–7 p.m. at Fortuity Cellars in Ellensburg for a Hiker Happy Hour with fellow hikers and people who love the outdoors. We’ll provide updates about what’s coming up for trails in the Central region and talk about ways you can get involved. Tickets are $20. You’ll receive a complimentary drink ticket, appetizers and a 1-year membership to WTA. Get tickets online. 

Road closure: The Historic Columbia River Highway (on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge) is closed until further notice between its junction with Larch Mountain Road to Vista House due to roadway settling. This is expected to be an extended closure. While this closure does not restrict access to any trails or trailheads, you might need to change the route you to take to get to your destination.  

Wildfire season prep: As agencies prepare for the wildfire season, prescribed burns and trainings might affect your hikes:

• Officials have planned a series of prescribed burns through May at the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Burns won’t be planned until a few days, because prescribed burns require specific weather conditions. Roads and public use areas may be temporarily closed during burns. 
• The Washington Department of Natural Resources is conducting two mock fire exercises on Wednesday, March 26 (with a backup date of Thursday, March 27), and Wednesday, April 16 (with a backup date of Thursday, April 17), in the Capitol State Forest. Be aware that colored smoke, firefighting aircrafts, helicopters and firefighting crews will be visible in the area. These exercises are important to help firefighting air crews train for wildfire season. 

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.