Hiking advice for Memorial Day weekend
May 22, 2009 · 12:04 PM
Hiking and camping season opens this Memorial Day weekend, and while memories of winter’s storms may seem a distant past, many favorite trails are still unavailable.
Despite snow, all campgrounds on the forest will be open except for Denny Creek, Middle Fork and Tinkham in the Snoqualmie Ranger District, and Miller River Group in the Skykomish Ranger District.
Low elevation areas such as Denny Creek and trails along the Mountain Loop are still under snow.
“Deep snow is still found at many popular recreation sites, roads and trails around the forest,” said Gary Paull, trails and wilderness specialist for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
“Visitors should exercise caution when hiking and camping in the forest. Keep aware of your surroundings, hot sun may weaken large snow cornices on mountain ridges causing them to collapse and start a slide,” he said.
Snow covered trails can cause confusion and hikers can get lost, Paull added.
View the accessibility of trails and roads affected by storm damage at www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/may-2009-status-report Current trail and road conditions are updated at www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions
Reserve a campground on the National Recreation Reservation System at www.recreation.gov.
Visit HooDoo to find a forest campsite and check availability at /www.hoodoo.com/Mount_Baker-Snoqualmie_national_forest
For campground questions call Rhonda Dow at 360-691-1841.
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