Hiker Headlines: Hiker Rally Day, Fee-Free Day, Closures and Openings

It’s March 16. Thank you to everyone who joined us for Hiker Rally Day this week! This Sunday is Washington State Parks’ birthday, and parking fees in some areas will be waived. Several trails are closed, and one state park has reopened after the winter season. And, Skyway Park has some new local artwork. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Some of the trestle bridge and trail segments on the Willapa Hills State Park Trail are closed. Photo by abbymrex.

A successful Hiker Rally Day: This week, more than 70 people joined us from 40 state legislative districts to speak up for funding for trails and equity in outdoor careers. We advocated for reliable maintenance funding for our state lands to ensure everyone in Washington can access outdoor experiences. We also asked legislators to invest in equity through WTA’s Emerging Leaders Program and got a great response from many legislators who are enthusiastic about the program and looking to support it. Thank you to everyone who joined us to support trails!

Free day: This Sunday, March 19, is Washington State Parks’ Birthday! Parking fees will be waived on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Trail closures:

• Willapa Hills State Park Trail has several closures, including multiple trestle bridge closures. The trail between milepost 32 and 33 is closed at two trestles for construction, the trail at milepost 38.5 west of Lebam is closed due to a washout and the trail between milepost 48 and 49 at trestle 48 is closed due to erosion.
• Hamilton Mountain trailhead and trail will be closed Thursday, March 16, and Friday, March 17, and will also be intermittently closed on Saturday, March 18.
• The trails at Cowiche Canyon Preserve are currently closed due to muddy conditions. Check the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy’s website and WTA trip reports for current trail conditions and closures.

State park reopens: Peshastin Pinnacles State Park has reopened after the winter seasonal closure. 

New Skyway Park artwork: Skyway Park now has four new art installations created by Seattle artist T.R. Miles. The artwork project was commissioned by a partnership between King County Parks, the One Roof Foundation and Seattle Kraken and was funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The art features community members and landmarks in the area. 

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