Hiker Headlines: Hurricane Ridge Area Reopening, Chinook & Cayuse Passes Closed for Winter, Meteor Shower

It’s Nov 16. It's almost Giving Tuesday, Nov. 24 is Autumn Day and parking fees will be waived in some areas, and Hurricane Ridge will reopen for the winter recreating season, too. Chinook and Cayuse Passes are closed for the season. North Cascades National Park wants your input as they put together a plan to increase accessibility in the park. And you might be able to catch a meteor shower this weekend. WTA goes hiking! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Snow has hit Chinook and Cayuses Passes at Mount Rainier, and they're now closed for the winter. Photo courtesy of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Get ready for GivingTuesday! After the holiday, after #OptOutside and cyber monday, it will be GivingTuesday, which is vital to help fund our work (and a lot of amazing other organizations) for the year. Give now, or mark your calendars for Nov. 28. We’re so grateful for you and all of our incredible hiking community! 

Hurricane Ridge Road and area to reopen: Hurricane Ridge Road and the recreation area will open again to the public on Nov. 24. The road will be open Fridays through Sundays except on Christmas Day starting at 9 a.m., with the uphill gate closing at 4 p.m. and vehicles required to exit the area by 5 p.m. It will also be open Dec. 26 through Jan.1, Jan. 15 and Feb. 19. All cars are required to carry chains. Please be aware that the road may close due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions, or if the parking lot is full (vehicles will be allowed in as the parking lot clears). 

Chinook and Cayuse Passes closed for the season: Two more Mount Rainier have closed for the winter: Chinook Pass (SR 410) is closed between Crystal Mountain Boulevard and Morse Creek, and Cayuse Pass (SR 123) is totally closed except for the southernmost 2.5 miles. At this time, Longmire Road and Longmire to Paradise Road are the only open roads in Mount Rainier National Park. 

Share your thoughts: North Cascades National Park Service Complex is seeking the public’s input to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. The aims of the plan include identifying current park barriers to people with disabilities and proposing upgrades to facilities and services to help overcome those barriers, as well as cultivating a culture that prioritizes increasing access. The comment window is open through Dec. 8.

Fee-free day: Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving, is Autumn Day, and 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. If you head out, don't forget to post a trip report and let us know how things are looking out there!

Meteor shower: The Leonids meteor shower peaks Nov. 17 and 18, and many places in Washington will have clear (or at least partially clear) skies! If you’re up for braving the cold, use our Hiking Guide (filtered for mountain views and established campsites) to find a good overnight spot, or check out darksky.org to find places with minimal light pollution. Already know where you're going? Check out our nighttime photography tips so you can get a nice picture of the starry skies.

Gone hiking! WTA will be taking a break next week, to go hiking, backpacking, camping and to get cozy spending time with family and friends. We hope all of you get a chance to unplug and reconnect with nature or people you love.

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