Call Before Hiking

Backpacking

Fire, floods and other factors in the past 12 months have affected trails throughout the region’s national forests. Hikers should call ranger districts for updates before heading afield.

For instance, the entrance bridge to the Snow Lakes Trail on the Leavenworth Ranger District burned last year in Icicle Canyon and probably won’t be replaced until late this month. Meanwhile, hikers must cross the Icicle on private land and may be charged a fee.

The Pleasant Valley bridge on the Naches Ranger District east of Chinook Pass has been removed because of damage caused by years of floods on the American River. Hikers headed for the Kettle Lake Trail will have to ford the river there or enter from Hells Crossing and hike back up along the other bank.

The bridge over the Chiwawa River on the Lake Wenatchee Ranger District has collapsed, the Forest Service said, and hikers headed for the Buck Creek Trail have no place to cross the river there.

, DataTimes