Hiker Headlines: Sunrise Road closing soon, last call for photo contest, Cascade River Road closure

It’s Oct. 2. The Washington State Department of Transportation has recently narrowed possible future plans for the Fairfax Bridge to two options; WTA is working to support solutions that reopen access to this area of Mount Rainier. The Northwest Exposure Photo Contest closes soon! Sunrise Road is expected to close this weekend. And be aware of a few closures, including the end of Cascade River Road and the road near Multnomah Falls. And we have advice on hiking during the government shutdown. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Last call for Northwest Exposure Photo Contest submissions (due Oct. 6)! Photo by Debra Paros. 

Future of the Fairfax Bridge: In April, the Fairfax Bridge — which provides access to the Carbon River side of Mount Rainier National Park — closed permanently to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic due to deterioration of its steel supports. Recently, the Washington State Department of Transportation narrowed down future alternatives to two options: replacing the bridge in a new location or keeping the bridge permanently closed. While there is currently no funding for any of the proposed alternatives, WTA is talking with the governor’s office and members of Congress about the bridge's closure and its impact on communities and individuals who love this special part of our state.

Northwest Exposure Photo Contest: Last call for photos! Next Monday, Oct. 6, is the last day to submit your photos for WTA’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. Submit up to five photos in each of our main categories — Trailscapes, Hikers in Action, Trail Family and Flora & Fauna — and as many photos as you like in our bonus categories — Instagram and Random Acts of Kindness. Photos must be taken in Washington. You’ll have a chance to win some fun prizes, and winners will also be featured in our annual calendar and on our website! 

Sunrise Road closing: Mount Rainier National Park expects to close Sunrise Road for the season at 7 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 5. Most other roads that close seasonally in the park are expected to close in mid-October or in November. 

Government shutdown: On Oct. 1, the federal government began a partial shutdown that will impact federal lands, including the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service lands. We have information on what hikers need to know.

Closures: Be aware of the following closures as you plan your next hike:

• Cascade River Road is closed at the Eldorado trailhead (milepost 20) until further notice due to unsafe road conditions. Foot and bicycle traffic is permitted past the gate, but please do not block the gate when you park. 
• The Kettle Crest Trail trailhead at Sherman Pass will be closed for a major construction project through Oct. 30. Hikers can park at a wide spot just south of the trailhead along Forest Road 2000495 near the Sherman Pass, and use the restroom at the Sherman Overlook day-use area about 0.8 mile away on Highway 20. 
• The east Multnomah Falls viaduct along the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30) will be closed to all traffic through spring 2026 for repairs, between just east of Multnomah Creek to the Oneonta trailhead. Multnomah Falls can still be accessed via the I-84 parking lot at exit 31, but parking will be limited, so the Forest Service advises hikers to take the CAT Bus (no, not this one). 

In this particular case, the Forest Service is referring to Columbia Area Transit and not this Catbus. 

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