Hiker Headlines: Seaquest and Lake Sylvia state park closures, I-90 delays, International Coastal Cleanup

It’s Sept. 12. Volunteer at the annual International Coastal Cleanup at the Ozette Triangle on Saturday, Sept. 21! Be aware of some state park closures, plus lane closures near Vantage on I-90. North Cascades National Park's burn ban will be lifted starting Friday, Sept. 13. The Outdoors for All Foundation has opened a new program center at Lake Sammamish State Park. And the Wenatchee River Ranger District has been working hard to clear a PCT reroute around the Miners Creek Complex Fire closures. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Indian Creek trail is significantly more hikeable due to great work by the Wenatchee River Ranger District. Photo courtesy of the Wenatchee River Ranger District.

Coastal cleanup event: Olympic National Park and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission are hosting the International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Ozette Triangle. Register online by 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 to secure your space — walkup registrations are subject to limited availability. Camping at the Ozette Campground will be free for those who have pre-registered, and backcountry permit fees for camping at South Sand Point on Sept. 20 will be waived (volunteers camping at South Sand Point on Sept. 20 can also spend a night at Ozette Campground for free). 

Closures: Be aware of the following closures as you plan your next hike: 

• The campground and day-use areas (including trails) at Seaquest State Park will be closed from Sept. 15 through mid-October for construction. The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center in Castle Rock will be closed starting Sept. 30 and is expected to reopen in May 2025. 
• The Lake Sylvia State Park closure has been extended past its original reopen date of Sept. 30. It's now expected to open near the end of 2024. 
• I-90 will be restricted to a single lane in either direction across the Vantage Bridge through Nov. 1 for construction. Expect delays if traveling through the area, or plan to take a detour around this part of I-90.

North Cascades burn ban lifted: The burn ban across the North Cascades National Park Service Complex will be lifted on Friday, Sept. 13. Campfires will be allowed in designated areas in campsites, and the National Park Service asks that campers keep campfires small and supervise them carefully. 

New Outdoors for All program center: The Outdoors for All Foundation, an organization that aims to lower barriers in outdoor recreation, has opened a new program center at Lake Sammamish State Park. The new center houses a large library of adaptive bicycles and kayaks for visitors to borrow. Included are tandem bikes and kayaks (so users can recreate with a guide), arm-powered bikes, and paddleboards usable with wheelchairs.

Indian Creek trail cleared: The Wenatchee River Ranger District trail crew has cleared the Indian Creek trail halfway to the Pacific Crest Trail, a vital part of the reroute of the PCT due to the Miners Creek Complex Fire. “Yes, it’s rugged, but it’s also wild, remote, and dramatic—a quintessential wilderness trail that offers access to some stunning country. We look forward to continuing to improve Indian Creek in future seasons!” writes the crew.

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