Hiker Headlines: New Beer, Road Openings, Campground Delay

It’s May 26. Join WTA, Fremont Brewing and REI at a launch of a new beer to celebrate Washington’s trails. Some campgrounds in Gifford Pinchot National Forest have delayed opening. Cayuse Pass will open for the season on Friday, May 28. Fees at some recreation sites in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are increasing. And, a section of the Mountain Loop Highway has opened early after the winter season. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Some campgrounds in Gifford Pinchot National Forest are delaying opening for the season, like Iron Creek Campground. Photo by Danielle Graham.

Beer launch: WTA, Fremont Brewing and REI are releasing Trail Magic, an exclusive beer to celebrate Washington's trails and public lands. Join us on next Wednesday, June 1 at 4:00 p.m. at the Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden in Seattle for the launch.

Campground delays: Several campgrounds in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, including Iron Creek, North Fork and La Wis Wis, have delayed opening due to a long winter and many hazard trees. The campgrounds are expected to open in June. 

Pass reopening: SR 123 Cayuse Pass will reopen on Friday, May 27, after the Washington State Department of Transportation finishes clearing the snow. The road between SR 410 from Crystal Mountain Boulevard and the intersection with SR 123 will be open, as well as all of SR 123, but SR 410 Chinook Pass will remain closed. 

Fee increase: Fees for some recreation sites in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are being raised due to increased maintenance costs, affecting both day use areas and campgrounds. Northwest Forest passes will be accepted at sites that previously accepted them, as well as new day use fee sites. 

Mountain Loop Highway partial opening: Mountain Loop Highway has opened from Deer Creek to Barlow Pass, previously closed for the winter season. The highway between Barlow Pass and Bedal gate near Bedal Campground is still closed. 

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