Hiker Headlines: Highway Closures, Avalanche Info, Outdoor Economy, Firefighters Wanted, Wanapum Planning

It’s November 19. Three mountain passes are now closed for the season. A new report shows the size of the outdoor recreation economy in Washington State. DNR is hiring wildland firefighters for the 2021 season. And, you can submit your comments to help with planning for the Wanapum Recreation Area in Central Washington. Here’s some news you might have missed while out on trail this week. 

Snowball fight! Photo by Malissa Waterford. 

Highway Closures: Winter is really here. Snow caused the closures of 3 major mountain passes this past week. North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) closed on November 13, and Chinook Pass (Highway 410) and Cayuse Pass (Highway 123) closed on November 12. All three areas closed due to unsafe driving conditions and avalanche danger caused by snow. They will reopen sometime in the spring. Be sure to research other road closures before you head out and go prepared.

NWAC has a new look: The Northwest Avalanche Center updated their website! Become familiar with the new features, find a class and check avalanche conditions before you head out. 

Outdoor dollars: A new report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows the impact of the outdoor recreation economy on both a national and state level. In 2019 climbing, hiking and tent camping contributed more than $137 million to the Washington State’s economy — up about $6 million from the previous year — and accounted for 130,553 jobs.

Firefighters wanted: With 2020 being an especially bad year for wildfires in the state, the Department of Natural Resources is already gearing up for 2021 by beginning to hire 550 seasonal firefighters. This effort will position the agency to expand the timeframe when it responds to fires, starting earlier and ending later in the year.  

Ginkgo/Wanapum planning: On December 8 at 6:00 p.m. State Parks will hold a virtual public meeting to hear comments on a developing plan for the Ginkgo Petrified Forest and Wanapum Recreation Area. Share your comments during the meeting or submit them anytime before December 31, 2020.

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• Check our Hiking Guide for information on what trails are open. 
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