Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier Timed Reservations, WTA is Hiring, Closures and Road Blockages

It’s Jan 25. Mount Rainier National Park recently announced a new reservation system required for entrance for most vehicles this spring and summer. WTA is hiring crew leaders for this summer. Be aware of some state park closures and road blockages. And WTA was highlighted in a series about activism and community from Osprey! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Unfortunately, Millersylvania State Park is closed for the week for water testing. Photo by trip reporter olysrc. 

Mount Rainier: Mount Rainier National Park recently announced that reservations will be required for entrance to the park for most vehicles driving through the Nisqually, Stevens Canyon and White River entrances during the spring and summer of 2024. Here's what you need to know.

Now hiring: WTA is hiring youth volunteer vacation crew leaders and assistant crew leaders for this summer season! The season runs from June through September. Both crew leader and assistant crew leader positions will be working to prepare for 7-day-long youth volunteer vacation work parties, as well as lead and document them. The priority deadline for all positions is Feb. 11. 

Park closures: Some state parks are currently closed:

• Millersylvania State Park is closed for the rest of the week for water testing, which necessitates turning off the water throughout the whole park.
• Echo Valley Sno-Park is closed until further notice due to no plowing contractor. 

Road blockages: Be aware of a couple of road issues that may affect your plans:

• Due to a rockslide on FR 24 near Lake Cushman, the road is only usable as a single-lane road. Please be very careful if driving in the area and avoid it if possible. 
• A large boulder is blocking part of Forest Road 83 near the junction with FR 81. The road is not passable to large vehicles, and most other vehicles will likely be unable to pass. Additionally, there is no space to turn around at the boulder. 

WTA highlighted: Just about a decade ago, WTA partnered with the Outdoors Empowered Network (OEN), which aims to mobilize community-led groups to support increasing access to the outdoors. And, of course, increasing access to the outdoors is a primary goal of WTA as well. To this day, we continue to work with OEN toward that goal. Both organizations have libraries that provide gear to prospective outdoorspeople to help make their trips possible, and they also offer knowledge-sharing programs to help folks feel more comfortable getting outside. 

Snowy mountain forecast: We’ve got snow coming to the mountains this weekend! Be careful if you’re heading over the passes, and be ready for a new layer of snow at high elevation if you’re planning a hike up high. Looking for a low-elevation hike? Check out the "high point" filter on the sidebar of our Hiking Guide for some inspiration.  

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