Hiker Headlines: Spring Snow, Wheelchair-friendly Trails, Free Entry

It’s April 14. Spring snow is falling in Eastern Washington and at the major mountain passes. You can now filter WTA’s Hiking Guide to find wheelchair-friendly trails. A new wildfire strategy will be implemented in Central Washington. An unprecedented number of blowdowns has left some areas of the Olympic National Forest temporarily inaccessible. Entry is free to National Parks on April 16. And, consider exploring the inland Northwest this spring. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. 

The Skagit River Loop Trail is one of the many wheelchair-friendly trails you can now search for in WTA's Hiking Guide. Photo by Karen Daubert. 

Spring snow: The snowy season is not over yet. Snow is predicted in Eastern Washington, and Blewett, Stevens and Snoqualmie passes are all experiencing snowy conditions. If you’re heading out, be prepared for winter driving. 

Wheelchair-friendly trails: You can now filter WTA’s Hiking Guide for wheelchair-friendly trails. This new website feature was developed in consultation with a cohort of hikers who use wheelchairs. Learn more about this new feature and find a wheelchair-friendly trail near you. 

Wildfire initiative announced: A new wildfire strategy will be implemented in Central Washington on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The 10-year plan will bring together several counties and land managers to work holistically across this landscape to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the future. 

Blowdowns on the peninsula: Access is limited in a few areas of the Olympic National Forest due to blowdowns, snow and other storm damage from this winter. Crews are working to clear these areas, but visitors to the forest should be prepared with a backup plan and be alert on trail for leaning trees or limbs that may fall. 

Free entry to national parks: Entrance fees will be waived at national parks on April 16, in celebration of the first day of National Park Week. 

Explore the Inland Northwest: Holly Weiler, WTA’s Eastern Washington regional coordinator, shared some of her favorite spring hikes near Spokane and spoke about exciting trail work projects coming up this season, including how to get involved. 

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