Storm and Seasonal Road Closures Impact Trailhead Access

Heavy rain and storm conditions are to blame for a series of recent road closures in the Cascades, the most recent of which being Highway 2.

Whereever you plan to hike, there may be downed trees and forest road closures. Be sure to check road conditions and closures prior to picking a hike, and make a backup plan.

Here's the latest:

Temporarily closed roads

• Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Road - Due to high waters and trees down, the Middle Fork Road - which normally reopens on weekends during the three year construction project - will remain closed above Mailbox Peak over the weekend into the start of next week.
• Highway 2 - Due to erosion, a bridge just east of Skykomish has been deemed unsafe, closing the highway in both directions from Skykomish to the Stevens Pass summit. Crews are not able to determine when the highway will reopen at this time. Check the WSDOT site (or check their Twitter feed) for the latest on this closure.
• Mountain Loop Scenic Byway - Heavy rains and downed trees have created unsafe conditions on the highway and it will remain closed at the Deer Creek gate (approx. 12 miles east of the Verlot Public Service Center) and the Bedal Creek gate (16.5 miles south of Darrington) until further notice. Some of the trails impacted by this closure include Goat Lake, Mount Dickerman, and others. 
• Also along the Mountain Loop, the Suiattle River (Forest Service road 26) was blocked by windfall trees approximately 15 miles from SR 530 as of the afternoon of Nov. 18. This situation is dynamic and will change as more information comes in. The following trails are inaccessible:  Suiattle River Trail, Green Mountain Trail, Sulphur Creek Trail, Sulphur Mountain Trail along with Downey Creek Trail.
• Twin Falls trailhead at exit 38 - Downed trees have closed access to this trailhead. No timeline has been given for the road to reopen.
• The Entiat River Road has been blocked by a rock and mud slide as of Nov. 18th at mile 25 1/4.
  

Other damaged or closed trails

• The storm also damaged sections of Beacon Rock State Park. The following areas of the park are closed until repairs can be made: Beacon Rock Trail, Climber's Trail and climbing areas and the River to Rock Trail. Note: The Hamilton Mountain trail system and Equestrian Trailhead are open daily 8AM-dusk. Parking for Hamilton Mountain Trail is available at Beacon Rock Trailhead.

Roads closed for the season

• Artist Point - The last 2.7 miles of SR 542 up to Artist Point are closed for the season. This section of road closes annually due to high snow levels.
• Highway 20 - Highway 20 is closed due to high snow levels and avalanche danger. The highway closes annually, and reopens when conditions allow, usually in May. The closure starts at milepost 134 east of Diablo and ends at milepost 171, 14 miles west of Mazama. The closure points may change depending on snow levels.
• Chinook and Cayuse passes - Both Chinook and Cayuse Passes are now closed for the season due to snow levels and avalanche danger.

With closures in the mountains, it might be a great weekend to check out hikes closer to home!