Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 will open soon, road to Artist Point open, free weekend, fire restrictions start

It’s June 11. The road to Artist Point is open for the season, and Highway 20 is expected to open soon. Both days this weekend are fee-free days for some federal lands. Fire restrictions are starting in some areas. Join us at Hiker Happy Hour! And the World Cup is coming to Seattle soon — we’ve got some resources on how to be a good steward of our trails as more visitors come to Seattle. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Crews have been working hard on Highway 20 repairs after the winter storms, and it is expected to reopen on June 19! Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Highway 20 opens soon: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced that Highway 20 is expected to open for the summer on Friday, June 19. The highway is currently closed between Ross Dam trailhead (milepost 134) and Porcupine Creek (milepost 156) due to damage from winter storms, and crews have been working on repairs this spring. 

Artist Point road open: The last 2.7 miles of the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) have opened for the summer! Big thanks to the WSDOT crews that have worked hard to clear all the snow to open the highway. 

Fee-free weekend: There are two fee-free days this weekend! This Saturday, June 13, is National Get Outdoors Day, and parking fees will be waived on Forest Service lands. This Sunday, June 14, is Flag Day, and parking fees will be waived on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. 

Hiker Happy Hours: Join Washington Trails Association staff and folks who love the outdoors at a Hiker Happy Hour! You can connect with fellow hikers, learn what’s next for trails in your area and how to get involved. Your tickets include a drink ticket, appetizers and a one-year WTA membership. We’ll be hosting a Hiker Happy Hour in Seattle at the Gearhouse Coffee Shop on June 25 at 6:30–8:30 p.m., and another in Bellingham at Wander Brewing on July 23 at 5–7 p.m. 

Fire restrictions: With rising temperatures, some land managers are implementing fire restrictions:

• The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is prohibiting fires and campfires across all WDFW-managed lands in Eastern Washington starting Monday, June 15, including in fire rings. Personal camp stoves are allowed. 
• The Washington Department of Natural Resources is prohibiting dispersed campfires in Ahtanum and Naneum Ridge state forests starting Friday, June 12. 

World Cup begins! The World Cup is coming to Seattle next Monday, June 15, so expect more than usual traffic on roads and trails in the upcoming weeks. Take extra good care of our trails and public lands as they get more use this summer — read up our tips on being a good steward and make sure to wear sun protection! 

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