Hiker Headlines: Mountain Loop Open, Creating LGBTQ+ Community, Sol Duc Bridge Closed, Parks Pollution

The Mountain Loop Highway is open for summer! The Wilderness Information Center at Marblemount is open, too, but hours are restrained by the budget. A new study shows how national parks are affected by pollution. OUT There Adventures is building a powerful community for LGBTQ+ folks. And the bridge at Sol Duc Falls is getting some work. 

Here’s some hiker news that you may have missed while out on trail this week.

The Mountain Loop Highway and the Big Four Ice Caves Trail are both open for the season. Photo by Alyssia Coty.

Open for the summer: The Mountain Loop Highway has been opened for the season. The loop between Granite Falls and Darrington provide access to many lovely hikes, including the Big Four Ice Caves. The Ice Caves trail was briefly closed, but is now open again. The ice cave on the trail has not yet formed, but snow field is still extremely dangerous. If you visit, stay on trail. 

Tight budget, limited hours: Beginning May 24, the Wilderness Information Center at Marblemount on Highway 20 will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The hours are due to budget limitations. The WIC is the main backcountry permit office for the North Cascades National Park complex. If you are planning an overnight backcountry trip, permits are required.

Pollution knows no borders: According to a study by the National Parks Conservation Association, 96 percent of our nation’s national parks have air pollution problems and 88 percent have pollution in the soil and water. Our state’s parks are less affect than many by pollution, but are at significant risk from climate change.  

Making community: Don't miss this Seattle Times profile of Elyse Rylander, who founded OUT There Adventures  and creates space for LGBTQ+ youth to explore the outdoors in a supportive environment. From the San Juans to Mount Rainier, youth have found community and even inspiration for future careers in the outdoors.

Closed for upgrades: The foot bridge and viewing area at Sol Duc Falls in the Olympics is closed for bridge repairs. Work is expected to continue through May 22. Portions of the Sol Duc Falls/Deer Lake Trail will be closed during the work.

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