Hiker Headlines: Free day, Trails and Ales, legislative wins, warm weekend weather

It’s March 14. Next Tuesday, March 19, is Washington State Parks’ birthday and parking fees will be waived in some areas. Put Trails and Ales with WTA and the annual Washington Coastal Cleanup at Olympic National Park on April 20 on your calendars. We’re excited for some wins from the 2024 state legislative session, and we’re also excited that spring is here! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Get ready for some warm, sunny weather this weekend! Photo by trip reporter JamesHaitch.

Free day: Next Tuesday, March 19, is Washington State Parks’ 111th birthday! Parking fees will be waived on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Trails and Ales: Join WTA at Trails and Ales from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at the Wildland Cooperative in Colbert to connect with fellow hikers and learn more about how you can give back to trails! Register online by March 18. 

Washington Coastal Cleanup: Registration for the annual Washington Coastal Cleanup on April 20 is open! Join other volunteers to help clean up our Olympic National Park beaches. There will be cleanup parties at Mora, Kalaloch and Ozette beaches. Volunteers get a free night of camping. Register online by 10 p.m. on April 12. 

Legislative wins for trails: The 2024 state legislative session ended on March 7 with good news for trails and public lands. Nearly every priority that WTA supported ended up being funded in the final state budget. Some of the wins include increased investments within Washington State Parks tribal relations team and for staff housing, and funding for the Recreation and Conservation Office’s Community Forest Program.

Spring is here! We’ve got warm weather and sun coming across the state this weekend, with temperatures over 60 degrees in many areas throughout Washington. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and sunglasses this weekend, and make a plan B if your plan A trailhead is full when you get there. 

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