Hiker Headlines: Weather Advisory, Lunar New Year, Backcountry Trips, LWCF

It’s February 11. This weekend promises to bring extreme winter weather. Lunar New Year is tomorrow. Registration for WTA’s backcountry trips goes live this Saturday. There are new changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We have valentines for that special hiker in your life. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

 
Lunar New Year is tomorrow! Photo by Rakan Alduaij. 

Winter weather advisory: It’s going to be a cold and snowy weekend. Forecast are calling for sub-freezing temperatures, high winds and snow. Winter Weather advisories are in effect for much of the Puget Sound Area and Mountain Forecasts are showing very cold temperatures and a high likelihood of snowfall. State Parks just added 3 new Sno-Parks in Kittitas County, but if you’re not confident in winter driving you may want to wait until this cold snap passes before checking them out.

Lunar New Year: Lunar New Year is February 12, and we wish everyone a happy celebration. Take some time today to learn more about this holiday and support organizations that are building community for Asian and Pacific Islanders in the outdoors and beyond.

Sign up for backcountry trips: Registration for WTA’s multi-day backcountry volunteer trips opens this Saturday, February 13 at 10:00 a.m. You will be able to sign up for trips taking place between March and June. Create a My Backpack account and fill out your forms before trips go live to have the best chance of getting on the trip you want. Applications for youth trips will open on April 1.

LWCF restored: A Secretarial Order from the Interior Department will roll back changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) made by the previous administration. This new order will undo federal restrictions on projects, reinstate the right for states to prioritize their projects and restore funding for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Project program — a program specifically dedicated to increasing recreation in underserved communities.

Valentine’s Day: WTA’s got a little something for that special hiker in your life. Not to mention a few tips for planning a romantic hike.

BE IN THE KNOW

• Keep up to date with Trail News, our monthly email newsletter.
• Check our Hiking Guide for information on what trails are open.
• 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.