Hiker Headlines: Trailhead Direct, North Cascades Walk-Up Permits, Palouse to Cascades Forest Project
Trailhead Direct is returning for another summer of transit to trails. Point Defiance Park’s Five Mile Drive has been closed to motorized vehicles due to erosion, but remains open to hikers and bikers. A forest health project to help prevent wildfires may impact parts of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. And, starting May 20, North Cascades National Park backcountry permits can be reserved in person.
It’s May 19. Trailhead Direct is returning for another summer of transit to trails. Point Defiance Park’s Five Mile Drive has been closed to motorized vehicles due to erosion, but remains open to hikers and bikers. A forest health project to help prevent wildfires may impact parts of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. And, starting May 20, North Cascades National Park backcountry permits can be reserved in person. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
North Cascades National Park will start offering walk-up backcountry permits this week. Photo by Joshua Young.
Trailhead Direct: King County Parks and King County Metro are beginning Trailhead Direct service next weekend on Saturday, May 28. The bus will have stops at the Capitol Hill Link light rail station and the trailheads for Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe and Little Si. The service will run through Sunday, September 11.
Project affects Palouse to Cascades Trail: Washington State Parks is starting a forest thinning project at Bullfrog State Park near Cle Elum to help reduce potential for wildfires. This project may impact parts of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail for the next several weeks. If you’re planning a hike there, check the status of the trail before you go.
Five Mile Drive closure: Tacoma Metro Parks has permanently closed the popular Five Mile Drive in Point Defiance Park to all motorized vehicles due to erosion of the bluff. Hikers and bikers will still be able to use the route. Tacoma Metro Parks plans to repurpose a service road in the park into an alternative drive.
North Cascades walk-up permits: Starting May 20 and running through October 8, visitors will be able to reserve North Cascades National Park backcountry permits in person at the North Cascades Wilderness Information Center the day of or day before the trip begins.
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