Hiker Headlines: Snow is Coming, Legislature in Session and Goodbye to an Icon

It's Jan. 9, 2020. Snow is coming to many areas of the state. The legislature is in session next week. A popular gear shop in Spokane is closing. And a couple roads in Olympic National Park are closed. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail this week. 

Trip reporter HGriesbach find some snow while out exploring the Tubal Cain Mine Trail. 

Let it snow! Oh, the weather outside is delightful. Well, it’s delightful if you like snow. However you feel about snow, it’s good to know that there’s plenty of it in the forecast, even at lower elevations in Western Washington. If you’re planning to head out to hike, be sure to check conditions first and be safe. And, as always, if you get out, write a trip report and help out your fellow hikers. (Bonus points for snowy photos!) 

I’m just a bill … It’s almost time for the state legislature to start up. Lawmakers will begin work on Monday. We’ll be down in Olympia keeping track of issues relevant to hikers. If you’d like to keep up to date on our advocacy efforts, sign up for our Trail Action Network.  

Goodbye to a Spokane shop: Mountain Gear, a popular Spokane destination for outdoor gear, especially technical gear, is closing after 37 years in business. The owner says its become increasingly difficult the meet the challenges of competing with online retailers while keeping the values of a hometown gear shop.

Roads closed: The Upper Hoh Road and the Upper Queets Road on the west side of Olympic National Park are both closed doing to recent flooding. The Mora Road, which provides access to Rialto Beach was temporarily closed, but has now reopened.

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