Hiker Headlines: Mountain snow incoming, free day, vote for your favorite photo

It’s Oct. 9. Friday is World Mental Health Day, and you can head to state-managed lands without a Discover Pass. Vote for your favorite photo in the Flora and Fauna category of WTA's photo contest. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has launched a new notification system for prescribed burns. And snow is coming to the mountains! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Snow is here in the mountains! Photo by trip reporter Brango.

Fee-free day: Friday, Oct. 10, is World Mental Health Day, so you can head to state-managed lands without a Discover Pass — 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. 

Vote for your favorite photo: WTA wants your help to select the winners of the Flora and Fauna category of our Northwest Exposure Photo Contest! Our judges will take fan favorites into account as they choose the first, second and third prize winners, as well as the overall grand prize winner. The poll is open through midnight tonight, Oct. 9. 

Fire alerts: The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has launched a new email and text alert system for prescribed fires across the state. It includes fires set by DNR and other land agencies. These notifications will tell you where the fire is, when it will be burning, the size of the burn and more.  

Let it snow: Winter is here in the mountains! The snow line is dropping to around 4,000 feet, so be ready with snow gear and warm layers if you’re hitting the trail. At Mount Rainier National Park, Cougar Rock Campground is closed for the winter. The Longmire gate will be closing nightly, while Stevens Canyon Road will be fully closed; both roads will reopen as conditions allow. Please carry chains as you enter the park. 

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