Hiker Headlines: Trailhead Direct, Federal Funding, Suiattle Road, Forest Fees, Geology
Trailhead Direct will return for the 2021 summer season. A federal grant program and a recently introduced bill bode well for large-scale public land funding. The Suiattle River Road will remain closed through the summer. Fee increases have been proposed at Forest Service sites in Central Washington. A new online tool makes learning about Washington’s geology easy and fun.
It’s May 13. Trailhead Direct will return for the 2021 summer season. A federal grant program and a recently introduced bill bode well for large-scale public land funding. The Suiattle River Road will remain closed through the summer. Fee increases have been proposed at Forest Service sites in Central Washington. And a new online tool makes learning about Washington’s geology easy and fun. Here’s some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.
One stop for Trailhead Direct is the Margaret's Way Trailhead where hikers can connect to the Chybinski Loop and maybe catch a dramatic sun burst filtering through the trees. Photo by Bob Zimmerman.
Trailhead Direct is back: Trailhead Direct, the popular transit to trails program operated by King County Metro, will resume operations for the 2021 season. Rides will start June 5 and continue through Sept. 26, with mask wearing required for passengers. Many routes are available from Seattle to trailheads in the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si areas.
Federal funding for recreation, near and far: The National Park Service will give more than $150 million to local communities to expand and strengthen recreation opportunities, especially in underserved communities, as part of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant program. In other federal news, a new bill introduced by Rep. Kim Schrier of Washington’s 8th District, would fund the Legacy Roads and Trails Program, which supports critical maintenance of roads and trails on U.S. Forest Service land.
Suiattle River Road remains closed: After the Downey Creek Fire last summer, the Forest Service closed the Suiattle River Road just west of the Downey Creek Bridge. Due to continued hazards created by the fire, the road will remain closed through October 6, 2021.
Fee changes at Forest Service sites in Central Washington: New fees and fee increases are being considered at several sites in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Tonasket District of the Colville National Forest. The fees would fund ongoing services and maintenance as well as improvement projects. The Forest Service published a list of more than 60 sites where fee increases have been proposed. Public comments can be emailed to SM.FS.FeeProposal@usda.gov by July 31.
Learn Washington’s geology: Explore and learn about the many fascinating geological sites across Washington state thanks to a new online resource from the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The Washington 100 interactive map reveals the science behind these unique landscapes and offers suggestions of trails where you can see these features firsthand.
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