Hiker Headlines: WTA's Favorite Central WA Hikes, Some Hwy 20 Trails Reopen, New Trail Fire Closures

It’s Sept 7. Join WTA staffers for a virtual chat about some of our favorite Central Washington hikes on Sept 14. Some trails along Highway 20 have reopened, but make sure you’re also aware of some closures throughout the state. And celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend this weekend! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

A few trails along Highway 20 — including Thunder Knob — have opened. Please be aware of active fires nearby if you are recreating in the area. Photo by WildMountainMama. 

WTA talks Central Washington hiking: Join North Central Washington Libraries and WTA staffers Claire and Holly for a virtual chat about their favorite Central Washington hikes! They’ll include hikes from Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan and Ferry counties for any skill level. This free event will be on Sept. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register in advance online. 

Some Highway 20 trails reopen: As the North Cascades wildfires reduce in size, some Highway 20 trails and recreation areas have reopened. These include the Diablo and Gorge overlooks, the East Bank and Thunder Knob trails and any other trails accessed along the south side of Highway 20. Overnight parking is only allowed at trailheads with valid backcountry permits — Diablo Lake south of the log boom to Thunder Arm is limited to day use. Please note that all other roads, campgrounds and trails are still closed, including Diablo Dam Access Road, both Colonial Creek campgrounds, all camps on the north side of Highway 20 and all trails on the west side of Ross Lake — Ross Dam, Diablo Lake, Stetattle Creek, Big and Little Beaver, Sourdough Mountain and Happy Panther trails remain closed. 

Trail closures: Make sure you know about these road and trail closures when planning your hike this week:

• Table Mountain will be closed on Sept. 13 and 14 for trail reconstruction and maintenance projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act.
• Hurricane Ridge Road has reopened, but the Hurricane and Eagle Point Fires in the area continue to burn. Please be sure to give firefighters space to handle the fires. Both Obstruction Point Road and the trailhead are closed until further notice due to the Eagle Point Fire. 
• Due to the Cowlitz Complex Fire, the Boundary Trail between Elk Pass to the junction with Summit Prairie, Summit Prairie, Craggy Peak, Snagtooth, Quartz, Stabler Camp, Wright Meadow, Basin Camp, French Creek and Snyder Pasture trails are closed until further notice. Additionally, Forest Roads 9300, 9341 and 7802 are also closed in their entirety, and FR 78 is closed between the junction with 7802 and the junction with 2278. 
• Due to the Airplane Lake Fire, an additional closure of the Pacific Crest Trail has been implemented between the junction with the Bald Eagle Trail (mile 2497.8) and the junction with the North Fork Sauk Trail (mile 2505). The PCTA has outlined a detour for PCT hikers. Please note that the earlier closure between Suiattle Pass to High Bridge due to the Dome Peak Fire has been lifted. 
• Graves Creek Road along the Quinault River will be open but undergoing repairs from Sept 11 through 14. Expect delays due to one-way alternating traffic. 

Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Celebrate this weekend with the Girl Scouts by heading to a state park! This weekend is Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, and Washington State Parks is offering many activities at their parks to bring the public outside and help steward our public lands. While many activities are specifically for Girl Scouts, several are also open to the public, including an invasive ivy pull at Saltwater State Park and — if you get a free passport sheet online — Passport to Adventure mornings at Saltwater, Lake Sammamish and Saint Edward State Parks. 

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