Much is happening regarding storm recovery in our Northwest parks. Let's start with the good. It now looks like the official opening date for Mount Rainier is May 5th. Weather and other factors may push the date back, but for now the Park Service is planning on public access up to Paradise the first week of May. Longmire Museum and visitor center will also open that day. The Cougar Rock campground will open May 18th. While the Longmire Wilderness Information Center and the Ohanapecosh VC will welcome the public the following week. White River campground will open the end of June. Hooray!The bad. State Route 123 which traverses the east of Mount Rainier will be closed all summer to the public from the Stevens Canyon road to Cayuse pass. An opening date for the the Stevens Canyon road remains up in the air due to landslides that cover and undercut the road.
As the winter snow melts it reveals previously unknown damage to park backcountry trails and facilities. Mount Rainier's wonderland trail is impassable in at least two areas. Other trails such as the Carbon Glacier and Emmons Glacier climbing route are also in bad shape. Meanwhile, Rangers at the North Cascades recently discovered additional damage to a bridge on the pacific crest trail, most likely caused by last fall's storms. See image.
However, WTA and SCA have begun efforts to repair some of the damage. WTA held its first work vacation in the Carbon river just this month. Meanwhile, SCA will soon bring on a Mount Rainier flood recovery coordinator to facilitate their efforts at the park.
For more information on the state of park roads or trails, please call Mount Rainier at 360-569-HIKE or North Cascades at 360-856-5700 x.515.