Hiker Headlines: State Parks Re-open, Advocacy Updates, Trail Closed, Maritime Washington

It’s March 18. With two free days coming up for state parks, they’ve announced the re-opening of many facilities. Deb Haaland was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Interior. WTA’s biannual Hiker Rally was a success. Most of the Spruce Railroad Trail will be temporarily closed. The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is looking for public input. And, you could name WSDOT’s next snowplow. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Steptoe Butte State Park is one of the many parks with free entry on March 19 and April 3. Photo by Myra Prykhodko.

State parks re-openings: March 19 and April 3 are upcoming fee-free days for state parks. This coincides with their announcement that many facilities including group camps, day-use shelters and interpretive centers will be re-opening later this month. Check with Washington State Parks for specific details for each park. Reservations open at noon on March 18.

New Interior Secretary: Deb Haaland was confirmed on Tuesday to head the Department of Interior. The department oversees the Nation’s public lands and natural resources. Haaland is the first Native American to hold the office.

Hiker Rally success: WTA’s biannual Hiker Rally went virtual this year. Over 100 hikers and advocates from more than 40 districts attended meetings with legislators to speak up for trails and public lands across Washington.

Environmental Justice For All Act: The Environmental Justice For All Act was reintroduced into the House today, with a companion bill introduced in the Senate. Among its cosponsors is Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal. The legislation includes the Outdoors For All Act, the Transit to Trails Act and stops the Every Kid Outdoors Program from automatically expiring. 

Spruce Railroad closure: Most of the Spruce Railroad Trail in Olympic National Park will be closed starting March 15 through the end of April while work crews clear debris from a landslide. The trail will be closed between the Daley Rankin Tunnel and the eastern Lyre River Trailhead. From the north shore picnic area heading west, the trail will remain open, including the connection to the Pyramid Peak Trail.  

Public input: In 2019 Congress designated 3,000 miles of Washington’s shoreline as the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area. Learn more about this designation, attend an upcoming workshop to build out this management plan and complete a survey to have your voice heard.

Name a snowplow: You could be the one to name WSDOT’s newest snowplow. The contest ends tomorrow, so think fast.

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.
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