Hiker Headlines: Rainier Backpacking, Two Surveys and Bipartisan Chats

It's June 25. You can apply for backcountry permits at Mount Rainier. Two surveys give you a chance to share your opinions. And REI's CEO and two senators recently spoke about the bipartisan support for public lands. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail recently. 

Backcountry backpacking permits are available online for Mount Rainier National Park. Photo by Jeongrae Cho.

Backpacking Rainier: Mount Rainier is accepting permits for backcountry trips. But, due to coronavirus, things will be a little different this year. If you’d like to learn more, rangers recently hosted a Q&A covering some of the most common questions.

Have your say: Pierce County is asking folks to fill out a survey to help plan the future of recreation in the Carbon River area of Mount Rainier, specifically from the town of Wilkeson to the Mount Rainier National Park entrance. The county is working on a plan that will preserve natural and culture resources while supporting sustainable recreation and access.

Fireside chat: REI president and CEO Eric Artz sat down (virtually) with two senators recently to discuss why the public lands and outdoor recreation have remained bipartisan in an otherwise divided Congress. They discussed a wide range of topics, including highlighting the Great American Outdoors Act, which passed through the Senate last week and will be voted on in the House in the next couple weeks.  

Speak up in the Southwest: Clark County is asking folks to weigh in on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan. The plan, which is updated every 6 years, helps the county make the best decisions for outdoor recreation. We'd love to see more soft-surface loop trails, as well as more accessible trails for folks who use wheelchairs and more trails accessible by transit. 

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 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.