Hiker Headlines: Shorter Days, Trip Report Milestone, Highway 542 Weekend Closure, After Fire

It’s September 9. Daylight hours are growing shorter as we transition into fall, emphasizing the importance of hike planning and packing a flashlight. We are celebrating the milestone of 200,000 trip reports. A portion of the Mount Baker Highway will be closed Sunday morning for a group bicycle ride. Wildfire closures are still in place across Washington, and the Forest Service gives some insight into the process of safely reopening an area after it burns. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

As days grow darker, packing a flashlight becomes even more important. Spider Gap. Photo by Ryan Soderlund.

It’s getting darker earlier: As the seasons shift, those long days of summer are becoming a distance memory. Shorter days can come as a surprise and leave hikers out in the dark. Plan your hike with plenty of time to get back before sunset, and be sure to pack a light source and extra batteries. If you need help picking out a headlamp, we’ve got you covered.

200,000 trip reports: WTA reached a milestone recently with 200,000 trip reports. Trip reports have been a foundation of WTA’s work from the beginning as a way for hikers to share their hiking experiences. Thanks to all the amazing trip reporters who take the time to help their fellow hikers by filing a report. We’ve been hearing a lot of love and great ideas about how trip reports could be better. Take the survey to help us improve trip reports in the future.

Highway 542 closed Sunday morning: The Mount Baker Highway will be closed between milepost 35 and the road’s end at Artist Point from 7 a.m. to 12 noon for the Mount Baker Hill Climb bicycle ride. The Heliotrope Ridge and Skyline Divide Trails will still be accessible by car during the closure.

What happens after a fire: It can be tough to keep track of wildfire closures and reopenings. An interactive closure map from the Forest Service makes it easy to plan a trip around closures, and a reminder from our friends at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest describes the steps that need to be taken before an area can reopen to the public after a fire.

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.