Hiker Headlines: Washington Trails Day, public lands at risk, Entiat-area fire, Lake 22 closure

It’s June 18. This Saturday is Washington Trails Day, a day to celebrate trails and take action to protect them. The potential for public lands sales is in the news. The Lake 22 trail will be closed on weekdays starting July 15 for trail maintenance, and Mystery Bay State Park will be closed for a month for renovations. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Wapaloosie Mountain in the Colville National Forest. A bill in the U.S. Senate would put millions of acres of national public land, including in Washington state, up for sale. Photo by Sally James.

Happy Washington Trails Day! This Saturday, June 21, is Washington Trails Day, a day to celebrate the trails that connect us to our state’s natural beauty. It's also a day to take action so we can continue to benefit from the benefits of nature. Take action today: Tell leaders of our national land management agencies that our public lands are not for sale. Sign the petition to protect our public lands, then go hiking!

Public lands at risk: The Seattle Times wrote today about a provision in the U.S. Senate’s budget bill that would require the deeply unpopular move of selling off millions of acres of national public land, including in Washington. The lands at risk are across the state, from the Olympic National Forest to the Gifford Pinchot and Colville national forests, and include many of our state’s most beloved trails. WTA believes that public lands should stay public. 

Fire closure: The Pomas Fire is burning northwest of Entiat. The Glacier Peak Wilderness in the Entiat Ranger District is closed for fire operations and public safety. Closures include Ice Lakes and Mrytle Lake. Check our Hiking Guide for information on trail closures. And you can use the wildfire layer Hike Finder Map for information on where fires are burning. 

Lake 22 closure: The Lake 22 trail and trailhead will be closed every Monday through Friday between July 15 and Oct. 31 for heavy trail maintenance.

State park closure: Mystery Bay State Park will be closed between July 20 and August 20 for pier renovations. 

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.