Hiker Headlines: Hot weather, new trail segments open, SE burn ban, helicopters, Governor talks trails

It’s June 20. Flood watch on near the Bolt Creek burn scar in the Index/Skykomish area. Washington DNR bans dispersed campfires throughout its Southeast Region. New urban trail segments open in Spokane and Bellevue. Chelan Lakeshore trail closes fully; the Swale Canyon section of the Klickitat closes for repair through 2025. Helicopters at work in the North Cascades. Governor Inslee talks about the value of trails and taking action to protect them for Washington Trails Day. 

Looking up Lake Chelan at Pioneer Fire 6-18-24. Credit/Inciweb. Most of the fire is burning in the remote and difficult to access Sawtooth Wilderness. In these areas, large logs and stumps can continue to burn and produce smoke for extended periods of time. This consumption will reduce the amount of fuel available for any future fires. 

Hot weather means there's a flood watch on near the Bolt Creek burn scar in the Index/Skykomish area. Hikers may encounter other melt-off related hazards as well, from high water in creeks to small landslides and trail damage, like this debris flow spotted by trip reporter ALW Hiker earlier this month on the West Fork Foss Trail.

Burn ban in SE state lands. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is banning dispersed campfires on lands it manages throughout its Southeast Region, which includes roughly 900,000 acres of state trust and conservation lands across 16 counties. Campfires will still be allowed in approved designated campgrounds but are otherwise banned across DNR-managed lands in the SE Region. For people recreating throughout the region on DNR-managed lands, propane or butane camp stoves and backpacking stoves are still allowed.

Here's how to do your part to prevent fires this summer.

Two new urban trail segments are opening up, one in Spokane and one in Bellevue. new section of The new section of the Children of the Sun Trail opens on Friday. And King County Parks will unveil a new bridge with Japanese-American Heritage Art Installation on Eastrail Sunday.

Trail closures. The Chelan Lakeshore trail is now entirely closed from Prince Creek up lake to the Lakeshore Trailhead at Stehekin as crews aim to contain the Pioneer Fire (see map). The Swale Canyon section of the Klickitat will also be closed starting tomorrow for repair through spring 2025.

Helicopter schedule. Here's where and when a helicopter supporting a project in the Wilderness of the North Cascades might surprise you this summer.

Washington loves trails. Finally, in honor of Washington Trails Day this weekend, Governor Inslee talks about the value of trails and taking action to protect them.