Hiker Headlines: GiveBIG, North Cascades Permits, Dog Mountain Shuttle, State Budget Wins
GiveBIG is on May 2-3! The Washington state Legislature adjourned this week, with some big wins for WTA and trails. All available North Cascades National Park wilderness permits will be available to the general public on May 1. The Dog Mountain shuttle will begin running on weekends starting this weekend. And, Olympic National Park has several upcoming bridge improvement projects this spring — expect some delays and closures.
It’s April 27. GiveBIG is on May 2-3! The Washington state Legislature adjourned this week, with some big wins for WTA and trails. All available North Cascades National Park wilderness permits will be available to the general public on May 1. The Dog Mountain shuttle will begin running on weekends starting this weekend. And, Olympic National Park has several upcoming bridge improvement projects this spring — expect some delays and closures. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Heads up — the North Cascades National Park wilderness permit general sale opens next week! Photo by Sathish Jothikumar.
GiveBIG is on May 2-3: GiveBIG is vital to funding our work for trails in 2023, and a group of generous board members and donors will match $50,000 of donations. Each year, WTA provides integral leadership for Washington’s outdoor recreation community by building and maintaining trails, advocating for public lands and helping hikers like you get outside. Our work wouldn’t be possible without our community of generous donors. Will you help us support trails by making a donation?
Victory! State budget wins: The Washington state Legislature adjourned the 2023 session on April 23 with great news for trails! The state fully funded WTA’s top two priorities: WTA’s Emerging Leaders Program is funded through 2025 and $30 million will go to our state land management agencies every 2 years for maintenance and operations. WTA also supported many initiatives to fund outdoor infrastructure, provide more youth experiences in nature, and increase inclusivity on state lands — learn more in our wrap-up!
North Cascades wilderness permit general sale opening soon: All North Cascades National Park wilderness permits still available after the early-access permit lottery will be available to reserve at 7 a.m. on May 1. Permits will be available for trips starting from May 19 through October 7. (Related: The how and why of backcountry and wilderness permits.)
Dog Mountain shuttle starting: The Dog Mountain shuttle is starting up this Saturday, April 29, and will be running through June 19 on weekends and Memorial Day. The shuttle runs about every half an hour between the Skamania Fairgrounds and the Dog Mountain trailhead.
Olympic National Park bridge projects: Olympic National Park will be working on maintenance projects on several road bridges in the park this spring, which may cause delays and temporary closures. Check with the Olympic National Park before heading out to make sure roads are open for your trip.
Washington state park internationally recognized: The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) has included Dry Falls at Sun Lakes - Dry Falls State Park in their list of “The First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites,” which gives "recognition to those geological sites of the highest scientific importance of the World” on an international scale.
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