Hiker Headlines: Avalanche Warning, Closed Passes and Roads, Winter Inspiration

It’s January 6. The avalanche forecast is high for the Cascades and Olympics. A flood warning is in effect for much of Western Washington. Four major mountain passes are closed due to heavy snowfall, and it’s best to steer clear of trailheads in the I-90 foothills until road conditions improve. With the rough conditions out there, stay inspired by setting your hiking goals for the new year and check out our photo contest winners. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. 

Winter conditions have really ramped up this week causing high avalanche danger and closed mountain passes and roads. Photo by thebrink. 

Dangerous avalanche conditions: The likelihood of avalanches is high throughout all of the Cascades and Olympics right now. The Northwest Avalanche Center reports hazardous avalanche conditions that could turn deadly. Avoid any and all avalanche terrain and always check up-to-date forecasts from NWAC before heading out into the snow. 

Flood watch: A flood warning is in effect for much of Western Washington through Saturday afternoon. The warning extends from Southwest Washington north to Snohomish County. 

Closed mountain passes: Four major passes across the Cascades are closed as of today. Snoqualmie Pass (which has seen record-breaking snowfall), and White Pass will be closed until Saturday, January 8. Blewett Pass and Stevens Pass are currently closed with no estimated time for reopening. Also, down along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, I-84 is closed between Troutdale and Cascade Locks due to a landslide. 

Steer clear of I-90 trails: The Department of Natural Resources is reporting that access to many of their trailheads along I-90 is difficult right now due to winter driving conditions, most notably the Mount Si trailhead and trails along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road.  

Staying inspired: With winter conditions making it difficult, and in some cases dangerous, to get out to the mountains right now, consider taking this time to set your 2022 hiking goals and check out the winners of WTA’s Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. 

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