Hiker Headlines: Now hiring, Olympic National Park summer camping permits, Olympic National Forest going primarily cashless

It’s April 10. WTA is hiring for our seasonal Lost Trails Found professional trail crews! Olympic National Park summer season backcountry camping permits are available starting April 15, and most Olympic National Forest fees will now be cashless. There’s a road closure on Forest Road 25 in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. And Mount Rainier National Park is asking folks to be careful when they’re recreating on the mountain. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Backcountry camping permits for Olympic National Park become available on April 15! Photo by trip reporter terradactyl.

Now hiring: WTA is now hiring Lost Trails Found professional crews for this summer! These crews work on a variety of trail projects statewide, with a special emphasis on backcountry trails. They primarily work a 7-day hitch schedule with periodic training and admin days. Crews are mostly self-supported, and each member is required to carry their own tools, food and camp supplies. Apply to be a crew member or assistant crew leader today! Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Olympic National Park camping permits: Summer backcountry camping permits for Olympic National Park — for those wishing to camp between May 15 through Oct. 15 — are available starting 7 a.m. on April 15. Permits can be reserved on Recreation.gov and are required for all overnight backcountry trips in the national park. 

Olympic National Forest going primarily cashless: Olympic National Forest will be collecting fees via debit and credit cards only at its Olympia, Quilcene, Quinault and Forks offices. Northwest Forest day-use passes and some campground fees can be paid at select trailheads, offices and campgrounds at self-service stations via card. Cash will not be accepted at these facilities. A new scan-and-pay option will be available at some recreation sites, which will work through a cellular or internet connection, or via the Recreation.gov app offline. Visitors can still use cash to purchase some recreation passes at local vendors. 

Road closure: Between May 5 and Nov. 24, a small segment of Forest Road 25 in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District will be closed to all traffic for repairs on the Huffaker Bridge. 

Be prepared for winter conditions at Mount Rainier: Recent search and rescue incidents at Mount Rainier National Park have resulted in park staff asking visitors to be extra prepared for winter conditions. Be sure to check the mountain weather forecast, read up on our winter safety tips, check out some of our trail smarts and look over recent trip reports before visiting the park and hitting the trails.

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