Hiker Headlines: WTA is Hiring, Lake 22 Trail & Rainier Winter Road Closures, Orionids

It’s Oct 19. WTA is now hiring for a full-time development coordinator. Many places — including Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks — are transitioning to winter operations, so expect some road and trail closures. And Mount Rainier National Park is asking for the public’s input on future plans to improve accessibility. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Trip reporter john@moosefish.com found plenty of snow at Mount Rainier over the weekend, and roads are closing in the park for the winter season.

Now hiring: WTA is hiring for a full-time development coordinator to support WTA’s fundraising efforts. This position will support a diverse array of projects that touch on all areas of WTA's fundraising work — including individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships and events. This role will begin next Jan. and will be based out of WTA’s Seattle office. The priority deadline for applications is Nov. 12. 

Mount Rainier operations transitioning to winter: Mount Rainier National Park is transitioning to winter operations, so make sure to check current conditions, road statuses and trip reports before heading out these next few weeks. As of today, the following roads and facilities are closed for the winter at the park: 

• Sunrise, Stevens Canyon, Paradise Valley, Ricksecker Point (between Paradise and Longmire) and Mowich Lake roads
• Ohanapecosh and Sunrise Visitor Centers
• Paradise, White River and Longmire Wilderness Information Centers
• Paradise Inn and Sunrise Day Lodge
• Cougar Rock, Ohanapecosh and White River Campgrounds 

Upcoming seasonal and construction closures: When planning your hikes these next several weeks, take note of the following closures: 

• Lake 22 is closed through Nov. 30 for maintenance work.
• The Mount Si trailhead will be closed on Oct. 24 for parking lot maintenance work. The trail will remain open and can still be accessed via the Little Si or Mount Teneriffe trailheads. 
• Olympic National Park is altering the seasonal closures of Staircase Campground, most of Mora Campground and the south loop of Kalaloch Campground to Nov. 1 to March 31 due to hazardous trees. 
• North Cascades National Park is removing some temporary trail bridges for the winter season. The Rainbow Ford and Rainbow Creek (below Bench Creek) suspension bridges are already removed. The North Fork, Maple Creek and Basin Creek temporary bridges will be removed Oct. 25.

Plus, there's a meteor shower this weekend! If the clouds break, you've got a chance to see some flaming fireballs with the Orionid's meteor shower on Saturday and Sunday night.

Share feedback on accessibility at Mount Rainier: Mount Rainier National Park is working on a plan to lower existing barriers and improve overall accessibility in the park, and the National Park Service is asking for the public’s input. The online form is open through Nov. 30. 

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