Hiker Headlines: Fire responses close trails in Mount Rainier, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Perseids peak, snap to win

It’s Aug. 12  Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. Mount Rainier National Park has closed roads and trails in the Sunrise and White River area of the park to respond to a fire in Grand Park. The Forest Service has closed roads, trails and campgrounds near the Three Queens Fire. Spokane takes stock of fire damage, and large parts of the state suffer unhealthy air conditions and ongoing fire danger. The Perseid meteor shower will peak this week. 

A view of the Grand Park 2 fire in Mount Rainier National Park on Friday, Aug. 7, the day the park closed trails. Photo by BlueHairedOldLady, who made the right call in turning around. 

Three Queens Fire closures east of Snoqualmie: Just east of Snoqualmie Pass, the Forest Service has expanded the closure order to a number of additional trails, roads and campgrounds, some of which are the Alpine Lakes Wilderness to respond to the Three Queens Fire. Many popular trails and campgrounds are part of the closure, so hikers and campers should make alternative plans for the upcoming weekend. (Plenty of hikers are finding fire and smoke-free adventures elsewhere in the state, so check conditions, closures and trip reports before you head out.) 

An Aug. 10 view of the Three Queens Fire from a distance by Trip reporter  pnw_joshb. 

Sunrise area closed due to Mount Rainier National Park fire: To protect public safety and manage fire response to a fire in Grand Park, the park has closed the Sunrise/White River entrance station and trails in the northeast quadrant of the park. (The Backbone fire is also burning outside the park, south of Stevens Canyon Road and north of Packwood. Smoke may be visible from Highways 12 and 123.)

• Wonderland thru-hikers will not be able to access that section of the trail as well, and should get instructions from the Wilderness office. (Read one trip report about their evacuation experience.) 
• With the Mowich entrance also closed, the Longmire entrance is likely to see increased traffic. If you choose to go, expect very long lines and potentially smoky conditions. Consider alternatives and if you go, pack your patience. 

Communities grapple with wildfire losses and ongoing threats, and many are pitching in to help: 

• As Spokane takes stock of what was lost in the fires, land managers have begun to also look at trail damage. Washington State Park will keep Riverside State Park under a full closure to assess hazards and damage. The Spokane River Centennial Trail is closed within the park, but is open between the Military Cemetery and the Washington/Idaho border.
• As the Little Giant Fire expands, the Entiat Valley and Chelan-area communities remain in the midst of active disaster response. 
• Air quality remains poor in many parts of the state. Check air quality and consider waiting for cleaner air to go hiking in your area. 
• More fire closures: As conditions remain hot and dry, it has been another week of heavy fire activity in Washington, and many parts of the state are still suffering unhealthy air conditions. Check conditions before you go, respect the closures, keep travel and drones away from wildfire responders. Stay safe out there, folks.  

The Aug. 12 Little Giant Fire map showing the Forest Service closure areas.

Perseids peak this week. While smoke may get in the way of crystal clear viewing in some parts of the state, the Perseid meteor shower will peak this week. Look to the night skies. 

WTA's photo contest launches: WTA's annual photo contest has launched this week, and it has a new fun way to win. Throughout this year’s photo contest, we will be offering “snapshot” bonus category winners. To enter, just submit a photo that matches the prompt during the appropriate week and include the hashtag in your caption. Coming up: #Campground (August 17 - 23)

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