Hiker Headlines: Volunteer Trailhead Ambassador Program, Closures and Openings, State Park Expansion

It’s June 23. Join Glacier Peak Institute in a pilot volunteer trailhead ambassador program at Barlow Pass this summer. Baker Lake and Baker River roads will be closed for repair through July 1. Near Winthrop, trails and campgrounds are open after reconstruction from the Cub Creek fire in 2021. And Beacon Rock State Park is getting expanded after a land acquisition.

A recent land acquisition will allow Beacon Rock State Park to be expanded. Photo by Seth Halleran.

Volunteer trailhead ambassador program:  Join a pilot volunteer trailhead ambassador program at Barlow Pass on the Mountain Loop Highway. Led by Glacier Peak Institute in collaboration with the National Forest Foundation and WTA the program is looking for volunteers to educate hikers about Leave No Trace and responsible recreation at Barlow Pass. The pilot program will run from July 4th weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Road closures: Baker Lake and Baker River roads will be closed through Friday, July 1, for public safety during road repairs. The East Bank Baker Lake and Baker River trails will both be closed from the trailhead to 0.6 miles into the trail for repairs. The trails can still be accessed from the trailhead at the south end of the lake or from boat-in sites on the east bank. 

Trail and campground openings: The Falls Creek Falls trail and the Falls Creek, Chewuch and Camp 4 campgrounds are all now open after reconstruction efforts by the Forest Service after the Cub Creek fire in 2021. 

State park expansion: Washington State Parks has acquired land adjacent to Beacon Rock State Park, allowing for the expansion of the park. WTA partner Friends of the Columbia Gorge played a key role in this acquisition. In 2019, the landowners — who wished to see the land used for recreation — put the area up for sale. Friends of the Gorge purchased the parcel, and once WSP had the purchase in the budget, sold the parcel to the state agency. The property will be developed to include more pedestrian crossings and parking and a new entrance to the popular state park.

BE IN THE KNOW

• Keep up to date with Trail News, our monthly email newsletter.
• Search our Hiking Guide to find your next adventure.
• Check trip reports for latest conditions on trails. And if you go for a hike, file your own trip report.
• Sign up for Families Go Hiking, our email newsletter for families with plenty of tips on keeping kids busy.

Sign up for Trail Action Network to stay up to date on issues impacting trails and ways to get involved.