Hiker Headlines: New Trail Opens, Grizzly Bears, Road Closure and Outdoor Preschools

It's Thursday, Oct. 3. WTA helped open up a new section of trail at Lake Whatcom Park. The public has a chance to comment on a plan to reintroduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades. Washington state is the first in the U.S. to license outdoor preschools. Washington State Parks has been honored as one of the best. And a new bill in the U.S. House could help get more people outside.

Here’s what you might have missed while out on trail this week:

A WTA volunteer crew celebrates their work on Public Lands Day at Lake Whatcom Park. Photo by Barbara Budd. 

New trail: As part of our work across the state on Public Lands Day, WTA helped open up a new section of the Chanterelle Trail at Lake Whatcom Park. With the help of volunteers, we put finishing touches on the trail. More work is planned on the trail next year to continue to develop the trail system in the park.

Grizzly bears: A public meeting will be held on Oct. 7 in Okanogan to discuss a plan to reintroduce grizzlies to the North Cascades. Using a lottery system, people will have a chance to comment on the record. Comments are also being accepted online through Oct. 24. 

Playing is learning: Washington state is the first in the nation to license outdoor preschools. It’s an exciting step, which will make it possible for outdoor preschools to offer full-day care, as well as offer financial assistance to families. So far, two preschools are licensed, but more are working through the process. (Learn more about outdoor preschools in this profile of an outdoor educator.)

North Cascades closure: If you're heading to the North Cascades, here are two closures you'll want to know about. The Cascade River Road will be closed five miles before the trailhead to Cascade Pass from Oct. 7-18. During the closure, crews will install a new culvert to protect the road and fish habitat. And, from Oct. 7-11, the Diablo Lake Overlook on Highway 20 will be closed to all visitors. The area is being used to move construction debris from work along Ross Lake. Over the summer, park staff replaced 18 vault toilets at 16 campsites. The new toilets are ADA accessible. 

One of the best: For the second time, Washington State Parks has been honored as one of the best state park systems in the nation. It was one of four finalists for the 2019 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence at the National Recreation and Park Association conference. Also, in recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, which is next week, Washington State Parks is highlighting its partnership with Parks Rx America.

Outdoors for All: This week the Outdoors for All Act was introduced to the House of Representatives. The legislation would provide funding for parks and outdoor recreation opportunities in urban and low-income communities. By dedicating mandatory funding for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership, the legislation would increase access to outdoor recreation opportunities by prioritizing projects that empower underserved communities, provide job-training to youth and reconnect people to the outdoors in cities and towns. The Senate bill was introduced earlier this year.

BE IN THE KNOW

• Keep up to date with Trail News, our monthly email newsletter. 
• For the most up-to-date information on trails, check out our trip reports. And then write one of your own!