Hiker Headlines: Fall colors, Summerland trailhead closure, Three Queens Fire closure reduced
This Saturday, Sept. 26, is National Public Lands Day; parking fees will be waived on many public lands. WTA is still hiring for our 2027 Emerging Leaders Program. The Summerland trailhead will be closed Sept. 28–Oct. 31 for a bridge replacement project. The Hoh River Bridge full-day closures have begun. And cooler weather is here — the Three Queens Fire closure order has reduced, and fall colors have arrived!
It’s Sept. 24. This Saturday, Sept. 26, is National Public Lands Day; parking fees will be waived on many public lands. WTA is still hiring for our 2027 Emerging Leaders Program. The Summerland trailhead will be closed Sept. 28–Oct. 31 for a bridge replacement project. The Hoh River Bridge full-day closures have begun. And cooler weather is here — the Three Queens Fire closure order has reduced, and fall colors have arrived! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Fall is here! Photo by trip reporter tiffanyc.
Free day: This Saturday, Sept. 26, is National Public Lands Day, a day to celebrate our public lands in Washington and across the country. It’s a fee-free day on state lands — those managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — and Forest Service lands.
WTA is hiring: We’re still seeking summer associates for our Emerging Leaders Program! The program provides entry points for early professionals from communities with less exposure to and experience in the outdoors. It offers hands-on learning, while supporting WTA’s work, and builds leadership skills to support future career interests in natural resources stewardship, outdoor recreation and environmental nonprofit work. Summer associates will work a season between February and September 2027, with a base of operations in WTA’s Seattle office. For more information, see the job description. The priority application deadline is Oct. 16.
Summerland trailhead closure: The Fryingpan Creek parking area and Summerland spur trail will be closed Sept. 28–Oct. 31 for the replacement of the Fryingpan Creek Bridge. Parking will be unavailable on both sides of the bridge and the trail will be inaccessible. The Wonderland Trail will remain accessible from the White River Campground.
Hoh River Bridge closures: Highway 101 will be closed at the Hoh River Bridge 24 hours a day for 6 days at a time, from 5 a.m. on Thursday through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, for 3 weeks starting today, Sept. 24. Though this does not restrict access anywhere, it does eliminate a thru-route from the north side of the bridge to the south side along Highway 101. Note that alternate routes will take several more hours, so be sure to plan ahead for these closures.
Fire closure decreased: The Three Queens Fire closure order has reduced. Closures have been lifted from areas east of Highway 903.
Fall is here! Fall colors have started popping, and hikers are starting to see beautiful colors everywhere. Check out all the fall foliage in trip reports, and share back the big and small wonders of fall in your own trip reports when you return from your hikes.
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 Trail Action Network to stay up to date on issues impacting trails and ways to get involved.
Comments