Hiker Headlines: Mountain Loop Hwy Fully Open, More Campfire Restrictions, PNT Win

It’s July 20. The Forest Service approved the comprehensive management plan for the Pacific Northwest Trail, and it is now headed to Congress. The Mountain Loop Highway is fully open! And be aware of some campfire restrictions and closures when you’re planning your hikes in these next few weeks. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

The Forest Service's approval of the Pacific Northwest Trail management plan is a big step in the development of the trail. Photo by Alex Kalaw.

A win for the Pacific Northwest Trail management plan: Last week, the Forest Service released a draft decision approving the comprehensive management plan for the Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT), which will guide the development of the trail over the coming decades. WTA has provided input on this plan throughout its development, and we are thrilled that the Forest Service will soon deliver this critical document to Congress. In the years to come, WTA will continue to support the PNT through trail maintenance and will continue to advocate for funding for federal agencies to help relocate segments of the PNT off roads.

Mountain Loop Highway fully open: With the opening of the segment between Deer Creek and Barlow Pass, the entirety of the Mountain Loop Highway between Granite Falls and Darrington is open! Please note that specific off-highway roads and trails are still closed — this includes the Mount Pilchuck road and trail closure and Forest Road 4020 closure, which restricts access to the Boardman Lake, Ashland Lakes and Pinnacle/Bear lake trail systems.

Campfire restrictions in place: Washington has seen relatively dry weather these last several weeks, so please be safe with your campfires and only build campfires in allowed spots to prevent wildfires this season. In addition to the many campfire restrictions already in effect, be aware of the following:

• Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has restricted campfires to established fire rings in designated campsites. Gas and propane camp stoves are still allowed.
• Starting July 24, all campfires in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills are banned within North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Stoves or grills fueled by liquid petroleum fuel for cooking are still allowed. 

Upcoming delays and closures: Keep these road and trail delays and closures in mind as you’re planning your hiking trips these next few weeks:

• Hart’s Pass Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between July 24-28. Hikers can still pass on the road but should stay on the side of the road and be alert to heavy equipment and construction vehicles. 
• Two segments of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the North Cascades will be undergoing rock-blasting operations: Methow Pass to 1 mile south of Cutthroat Pass from July 20-24, and Brown Bear Trailhead to Hart’s Pass from July 25-26. The PCT on either side of the operations will be closed during these operations. 
• Due to repair work on the bridge over Barnes Creek at Lake Crescent, the road is currently operating as a one-way alternating traffic route. Plan for delays of around 20 minutes.
• The segment of the Columbia Plateau Trail between Fish Lake and Cheney-Sprangle trailheads will be closed intermittently from July 24 through Aug. 28 for annual trail maintenance.

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