Hiker Headlines: Fires close Columbia River & Hwy 20 trails, Parking in Paradise, Pint nights with Dru Bru, Wildlife encounter tips

It’s July 24. New fires close trails along the Columbia River Gorge and Hwy 20 in the North Cascades. The ongoing road and parking lot work at Mount Rainier will require plenty of patience. Join WTA and Dru Bru for upcoming pint nights. And learn what to do if you encounter cougars, bears or mountain goats on trail.

The Burdoin Fire burned actively the night of July 20. Flames are visible where fuels burned in the Wide Sky Canyon west of Centerville Hwy alongside the Klickitat River. Photo credit: Inciweb. 

New fires in the Columbia River Gorge and the North Cascades: 

• The Burdoin Fire has prompted road and trail closures (including the popular Catherine Creek and Coyote Wall trail systems) in the Columbia River Gorge. Check alerts, conditions and air quality before recreating in the area.
• The Klickitat Trail State Park and portions of the Klickitat Rail Trail are closed due to the Burdoin Fire and the recent additional Brewer Road fire (which has also prompted Level 3 evacuation orders). If you are moving through this area, please be mindful of the emergency personnel working in the area.
• A series of lightning strikes in the North Cascades started some small fires, closing a few trails near the East Creek Fire off of Hwy 20 between Ross Lake and Rainy Pass. 

Stay safe and keep up-to-date on fires burning in Washington by reading up on how to hike during the wildfire season and check the wildfire layer on WTA’s Hike Finder Map and mobile app.

A screenshot of the WTA Hike Finder Map using the wildfire layer along the Columbia River Gorge on 7.24.25. 

Parking in Paradise, detours and delays. There’s a lot of repair work happening around the mountain — and now it’s Paradise’s turn for a little beauty and preservation treatment. Starting Tuesday, July 22, to Wednesday August 6 (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), parking in Paradise will limited to 30% of normal capacity — 50% percent on a good day. Parking will be an exercise in patience. Get more tips from Mount Rainier National Park.

• Saturday, August 2nd, 5:00 – 7:00 PM @ Cle Elum taproom
• Saturday, August 9th, 5:00 – 7:00 PM @ Sno Pass taproom

Refresh your wildlife encounter skills. Concerned about encountering a cougar, goat or bear? Brush up on these tips for what to do during one of these rare wildlife encounters. 

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.