Hiker Headlines: Staircase Rapids, Mount Rose and more closed due to fires; North Shore Road closure, free day

It’s July 10. Join WTA at a Hiker Happy Hour in Bellingham on July 24! An “earthquake swarm” was detected this week at Mount Rainier, but experts say there’s nothing to worry about. Some road closures will affect trail access. And, we’re fully into fire season — be aware of fire closures, fire bans and how to stay safe as it gets even warmer. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. And July 16 is a fee-free day on Bureau of Land Management lands.

The Bear Gulch Fire is burning along Lake Cushman, closing several trailheads in the Staircase area. Photo courtesy of the Mason County Sheriff's Office.

Hiker Happy Hour: Join WTA staff and volunteers at Wander Brewing in Bellingham on July 24 from 5–7 p.m. for a Hiker Happy Hour! We'll provide updates about what’s coming up for trails in Northwest Washington and we'll talk about the ways you can get involved. Tickets are $20 and you’ll receive a complimentary drink ticket, appetizers and a 1-year membership to WTA. We hope to see you there! 

Earthquake swarm: Earlier this week, the Cascades Volcano Observatory and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network detected the start of an “earthquake swarm” at Mount Rainier, consisting of hundreds of small earthquakes. The last similarly-sized earthquake swarm was in 2009. Experts say that the event is not something to be worried about, and is from the “circulation of hydrothermal fluids” underneath the mountain. 

Road closures: Two road closures will affect trail access: 

• North Shore Road along Lake Quinault will be closed through Sept. 22. Because South Shore Road is also closed due to a washout, Graves Creek and North Fork trailheads are currently inaccessible. Because of this, backcountry permits for camping at campsites that are accessed via these trailheads, such as Enchanted Valley, are not available on Recreation.gov through the closure period. 
• The repair work on Silver Star Road has been extended through July 18. The road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday, restricting access to the Ed’s Trail trailhead. 

Fire season is in full swing: We are deep into fire season here in Washington. To stay safe and keep up-to-date on fires burning in Washington, read up on how to hike during the wildfire season and check the wildfire layer on WTA’s Hike Finder Map and mobile app. Always pack the Ten Essentials and know how to put out a campfire effectively, whether it be your own or one you come across as you are hiking. Here are some things to know right now: 

• The Bear Gulch Fire is burning in the Lake Cushman area, which has restricted access to trails in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park. The Staircase area and campground, Bear Gulch day-use area, Mount Rose trailhead, Dry Creek trailhead and Copper Creek trailhead are all closed. 
• All campfires are now banned in Mount Rainier National Park and on lands managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in Eastern Washington. 
• Campfires are restricted to established campfire rings in Colville and Olympic national forests starting July 11. 
• An area of Riverside State Park burned in the Aubrey White Fire earlier this week. Trails that were closed should be reopening today, but Washington State Parks asks people to be careful and stay on trails through recently burned areas.

Fee-free day: Wednesday, July 16, is the Bureau of Land Management’s birthday! To celebrate, it waives parking fees on all of its lands for the day. 

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