Hiker Headlines: GiveBIG Thanks, Mountain Loop Closures, Volcanoes

It's May 4. We're so thankful for our WTA community for the support during GiveBIG. Some trails, trailheads, roads and campgrounds are going to be closed this season for upgrades. And May is both Mental Health Awareness Month and Volcano Preparedness Month. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail this week. 

Some areas along the Mountain Loop Highway, including Big Four, will be closed for all or part of the season to allow for work. Photo by Celine Cruz.

GiveBIG: We can't overstate enough how lucky we are to have our WTA community. More than 1,000 hikers joined together over the past few days to raise over $130,000 for trails. The funds raised during GiveBIG will directly support our work to help hikers across the state get outside — and this is only possible because of our donor community. Thank you!

Mountain Loop closures: Some trails and trailheads, as well as some portions of roads, will be closed along the Mountain Loop Highway from now throughout the summer. The closures are to allow for necessary improvements and protect workers while they complete the projects. This map shows the planned closures. Affected areas include:

• Forest Service Road 42, which provides access to Mount Pilchuck, is closed at the Heather Lake Trailhead through the season for trail and road work.
• FSR 4020, which provides access to Boardman, Ashland, Pinnacle and Bear lakes area will be closed May 15 through July.
• The Big Four picnic area, trailhead and trail will be closed May 15 through June 30.
• The Lake 22 trail and trailhead will be closed in September for trail work.

Mount Jupiter trail closure: The Mount Jupiter trail and trailhead, in Olympic National Forest, are closed to all access due to logging operations through the fall.

Campground closure: La Wis Wis Campground, near the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park, will be closed this year. The closure will allow for major upgrades to the campground, made possible thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act.

See a volcano! The road to Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens National Monument is now open to drivers. And, speaking of volcanoes, May is Volcano Preparedness Month. It’s a great time to learn about our state’s volcanos — and know how to be prepared in case one erupts. 

Glorious, glorious trip reports: This time of year, conditions change fast! That makes trip reports vital to keep hikers safe and informed. If you’re heading out this weekend, give them a read first. And then, once you’re back, write a trip report and let us know how it was!

Care for yourself (and each other): May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time for people to learn more about mental illness, to fight stigma and to advocate for polices that support people affected by mental illness. We hope you make time to care for your own mental health — maybe even by going for a hike.

BE IN THE KNOW

• Keep up to date with Trail News, our monthly email newsletter.
• Search our Hiking Guide to find your next adventure.
• Check trip reports for latest conditions on trails. And if you go for a hike, file your own trip report.
• Sign up for Families Go Hiking, our email newsletter for families with plenty of tips on keeping kids busy.
• Sign up for Trail Action Network to stay up to date on issues impacting trails and ways to get involved.