Hikers Rejoice! Funding Returns to Parks, Federal Lands

With the federal government shutdown officially over, we rounded up some key information to help you get out hiking Washington's federal lands in all their autumn glory.

What we know, and what you need to know to go hiking

• National Parks are open. All three of Washington's National Parks opened today, as staff return to work and begin opening facilities. Check their websites and social channels for more information.
• National Forest and BLM staff are back on the job. Staff were headed back to work today with normal seasonal hours.
• National Forest Passes are once again for sale.
• Hikers are incredibly generous with each other. This can be a tough season for judging conditions. You helped each other out with very detailed information in your trip reports. Hikers, thank you so much for being such an incredible community.
• We sure missed our federal land manager partners. From the rich body expertise provided on trail, in ranger stations on social media channels, we sure felt the absence of federal staff during the shutdown and are glad to have them back on duty. If you head out hiking, make sure to thank a ranger for their service.
• In Washington, we are very lucky to have great hiking options on a diversity of lands. You all did some incredible hiking, and we loved seeing fall unfold in your trip report
• Find a great fall hike. Check out recent trip reports, look for larches, hike a State Park, take the Hike of the Week, or find your hike in our seasonal suggestions.

Time will tell

• Seasonal closures. This is normally a transition season on public lands, when snow and end-of-season reductions in staffing limit facilities like campgrounds, roads, and some ranger stations and interpretive centers. It might take a few days to sort out exactly what's open and what's closed for the winter season.
• Unreported trail damage. WTA had to move trail work parties off of 12 trails on National Forest lands during the shutdown, but beyond maintenance to those trails, wet and snowy weather may have changed the landscape of many other trails, and put other forest crews behind on their seasonal maintenance.
• Long term impacts. It may be a while before the full impacts of the shutdown on the employees, parks, and surrounding economies are fully tallied.