Hiker Headlines: More Dambo trolls, Thunder Creek Fire closures, last call for Hike the State

It’s Aug. 27. Join WTA online for Hike the State on Sept. 2! More trails have been closed due to fires or construction work. And, more Dambo trolls are coming to Washington state! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

A traveling exhibit of 12 Thomas Dambo trolls, like Jakob Two Trees (above) in Issaquah, will be visiting South Puget Sound in October. Photo by trip reporter mmills.

Hike the State: Join WTA at Hike the State online from 6–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, for fall hiking recommendations from WTA staff! Whether you’re a multiday backpacker or neighborhood wanderer, we’ll have hike inspiration for you. After the presentation, from 7–7:30, we’re hosting a virtual hang, where you’ll have the option to connect with other participants informally. Registration is free!

More fire closures: Additional fire activity this week has caused new trail closures.

• The Thunder Creek Fire has started burning in North Cascades National Park and has closed the Thunder Creek trail from McAllister Camp to Park Creek Pass, and the Fisher Creek trail from the national park boundary to Junction Camp. 
• The Grand Park 2 and Wonderland Complex fires continue to burn in Mount Rainier National Park. Sunrise and White River roads remain closed, as do all of the trails originating from these roads. All trails in the Grand Park area, the Northern Loop Trail and its associated camps and the Wonderland Trail from the Carbon River Suspension Bridge to White River Campground and all associated camps are also closed. 
• The Plummer Peak Fire has closed the Pinnacle Peak trail and the surrounding area, including the ridge from Lane Peak to Foss Peak across the ridge, and from Stevens Canyon Road to the southern park boundary. (Note that Stevens Canyon Road remains open.)
• The Three Queens Fire closure order has expanded, and several more trails in the Cle Elum area are now closed, including the Hex Mountain, Spectacle Lake, Esmeralda Basin, Scatter Creek and Paddy Go Easy trails. 
• The Sisi Fire is burning near Stehekin and has closed the Pacific Crest Trail between Suiattle Pass (mile 2555.2) and High Bridge (mile 2575). The Agnes Gorge, Agnes Creek, Devore Creek, 4th of July Basin and Swamp Creek trails in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are closed. Company Creek trail is closed in its entirety (both in the national forest and North Cascades National Park). 

Construction closures: Construction will affect the following roads and trails:

• The Talapus Lake trail, and the road that leads to it, will be closed from Sept. 21 to Oct. 31 while work is being done to expand the trailhead.
• Snow Lake Trail will be closed for trail work from Sept. 14–25.
• The High Rock Lookout, and the fenced-area immediately around it, will remain closed for repairs through Oct. 31. The trail, however, is now open.
• The Skagit River Marblemount bridge, which provides access to Cascade River Road, will be closed overnight for repairs on Monday evenings through Friday mornings, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. The closures will last through Sept. 4.

More Dambo trolls: A traveling exhibit of 12 Thomas Dambo trolls will be coming to the South Puget Sound area soon! Starting Oct. 15, visitors can visit Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma to find four of the giant wooden trolls or Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville to find eight trolls. The trolls, a part of the “TROLLS: A Field Study” exhibit, will be available to check out through Jan. 24, 2027. 

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