Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 partial reopening, Trailhead Direct, DNR budget cuts, hot weekend

It’s April 30. The eastern portion of Highway 20 is opening today but a portion remains closed due to storm damage. Trailhead Direct transit service is starting up soon! Several forest roads in the Methow Valley are closed due to storm damage. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources will be reducing service and closing some campgrounds this year after budget cuts. And, expect hot weather this weekend! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

While part of Highway 20 has opened to the east, most of the Highway 20 winter closure is still in place. Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Highway 20: Highway 20, the North Cascades Highway, will open about 14 miles in from the eastern side of its witner closure today, April 30, at 2 p.m. The closure remains in place between milepost 130 near Diablo Lake to milepost 156.8 at Porcupine Creek due to storm damage. There is no current estimated time for reopening. The partial reopening allows for access to Rainy Pass from the east. 

Trailhead Direct returns: The Trailhead Direct season is starting again on May 23, Memorial Day weekend! Trailhead Direct is a great way to take public transit to some of your favorite trailheads in the Issaquah Alps and North Bend. Check back on the Trailhead Direct website soon for more details. 

Methow Valley road closures: Okanogan-Wenatchee has issued motorized vehicle closure notices on several roads in the Methow Valley due to significant storm damage. These road closures restrict access by vehicle to several trailheads, including the War Creek, Williams Creek, Reynolds Creek, Monument Creek, Harts Pass and Pacific Crest Trail - White Pass North trailheads. 

DNR budget cuts: Due to budget cuts, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced they will need to close some campgrounds and reduce services at other sites this year, which includes less maintenance on some DNR trails. While most campgrounds and trail systems will remain open as normal, check DNR’s information on closures, service reductions and dates before planning your summer camping. 

Hot, hot weekend! The weather forecast for this weekend looks HOT all over the state, so be prepared if you’re planning to hit the trail or set up camp outside. Read up on how to keep cool and stay hydrated. And while jumping into an alpine lake may seem tempting, don’t forget that even though it might feel very hot outside, lakes may still be extremely cold! 

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