Hiker Headlines: Roadless Rule protections at risk, Hiker Happy Hour, Highway 123 will close near Rainier

It’s Aug. 28. Join us for Hiker Happy Hour in Seattle on Sept. 4! The Roadless Rule, which protects our national forests from logging and mining, is at risk. And be aware of a few big upcoming closures, including at Mount Rainier during September. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

The Roadless Rule — which protects areas like the Dark Divide from logging and mining — may be rescinded, risking protections on thousands of miles of trails. Photo by trip reporter chrisburke. 

Join us for Hiker Happy Hour! Meet WTA staff and volunteers at Gearhouse Basecamp Cafe in Seattle from 6:30–8 p.m. on Sept. 4 for a night of talking trails. We’ll provide updates about what’s coming up for trails in the Puget Sound region and let you know about the ways you can get involved. Tickets are $25; you’ll receive a complimentary drink ticket, appetizers and a 1-year membership to WTA. We hope to see you there! (Can’t make it? We’ve got another one in Washougal on Sept. 25!)

Roadless Rule protections at risk: This week, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced plans to rescind the Roadless Rule, which protects one-third of our national forests from logging and mining. This includes outdoor recreation on beloved Washington state landscapes (Washington Pass, Baker Lake, Lake Chelan, Quinault Lake, Silver Star Mountain and more). This change would strip protections from 45 million acres of special areas of our national forests, including 26,000 miles of trail. Sign up for WTA's Trail Action Network and we'll let you know when and how you can speak up. A public comment period will be open soon.

Highway 123 closure near Rainier: Between Sept. 2 and 30, the segment of Highway 123 between Cayuse Pass and Stevens Canyon Entrance will be closed to all through traffic. The Stevens Canyon entrance to the park remains open throughout the closure, except on Sept. 24, when it will be closed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mount Rainier National Park has provided a detour map to help drivers navigate around the closure. 

More closures: Be aware of the following closures as you plan your next hike: 

• Cold Creek Road (FR 9070) will be closed between Aug. 30 and Sept. 14. This restricts access to the Cold Creek Loop, Mount Catherine and Mirror Lake via the Pacific Crest Trail hikes. 
• The Pear Butte trailhead is closed until further notice for recovery operations. 
• The Wildcat Fire is burning in the Naches Ranger District, which has closed Bumping, Swamp and Cougar lakes.  
• The Martin Fire is burning in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area, which has closed the Holden Lake trail. 

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