Hiker Headlines: Outdoor Voices Wanted, Parking Passes Required, and a Fee-Free Day

It’s Thursday, August 22. Help shape the future of Washington’s state parks. Here's a quick refresher on passes for visiting public lands. And, if you want to visit a state park or national park but don't have a pass, this Sunday is your day. Finally, High Rock lookout is getting some restoration love.

High Rock lookout, in the South Cascades, is receiving some much-needed restoration attention this summer. Photo by 1Olddog.

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

Passion for parks: Like our state parks? Have ideas on how to make them even more accessible and enjoyable? Attend one of three upcoming public meetings held by the parks commission and help shape the next decade of park use. The first meetings will be held Aug. 27 and 28 in Yakima and Spokane, followed by Tacoma on Sept. 5. 

Remember your pass: Nothing ruins a fantastic day outdoors than returning to your car to find a ticket because you didn't have the proper pass. Passes provide vital funding for our public lands, so they're a requirement in order to legally park at and access many trails. If you don't already have a pass, you can usually get one on the way to the trailhead. Look for signs at gas stations or shops in local communities nearby. You can also always stop at the ranger station; the one in Verlot (which is on the way to hikes like Heather Lake and Lake 22) sells passes and can even give you tips on hiking the Mountain Loop Highway. 

Need help deciding which one you need? We've got you covered. And if you'd like a refresher on the differences between passes and permits, well, we've got you there, too.  

Free park day: To celebrate the National Park Service’s 102^nd birthday, Washington State Parks and the National Parks Service are offering a fee-free day on Sunday, Aug. 25 — no National Parks or Discover Pass required, although plenty of discovery awaits. Find a state park hike. Did you know that Washington is home to several national parks and monuments aside from the Big 3 of Rainier, the North Cascades and Olympics? Avoid the crowds this weekend and tour one of these lesser-known treasures.

High Rock restoration: The lookout on High Rock in the South Cascades is one of the few remaining holdovers of a bygone era, wherein hardy folks would stay in a precariously-perched cabin to watch for fires. Built in the ‘30s, the lookout has suffered damage from weather and vandalism, but thanks to the combined efforts of volunteer organizations and the Forest Service, the beloved building is getting some much-needed attention this summer.  Hike other fire lookouts in Washington state. 

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 your own.