We can “bearly” contain our happiness with this news! The first official grizzly bear sighting of 2021 has occurred in Yellowstone National Park! The inevitable return to warmer weather is showing signs of occurring. We are a still a long ways off from wildflowers and open Park roads, but the bears are “waking up.”

On March 2nd, 1909, Teddy Roosevelt used the Antiquities Act to create Mount Olympus National Monument, now known as Olympic National Park. Thanks to people like Lieutenant O’Neil and the Press Expedition, the mystery of America’s mountainous Shangri-La started to be explored, mapped and shared with the world. Their experiences and stories captivated the minds of the nation, forcing Presidential action to protect  both the land and the wildlife of the wettest corner of the country.

On February 2nd, 2021, nearly a full year after Covid-19 infected every aspect of life in the United States and around the world, a mask requirement has been issued for all National Park lands. It is straight forward and very simple to follow, helping to keep everyone safe. 

Heading to Lena Lake, Upper Lena Lake or The Brothers? You’ll need to change your plans. A press release sent out by Olympic National Park and Forest is letting people know that this popular hiking destination on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula is now closed to hiking due to a forest fire that has been burning since August 16th. This area was also closed in 2018 for forest fires. 

On June 29th, 1938, Olympic National Park was officially designated as a National Park by President Franklin Roosevelt, forever changing the landscape of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. For the past 82 years, Olympic National Park has been captivating the hearts and imaginations of wilderness explorers of all ages, enticing a deeper connection with the great outdoors. Today, we get to wish it a very Happy Birthday. 

UPDATE: MANY NATIONAL PARKS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Please check your local park before heading out.

While many National Parks are closing campgrounds, visitor centers and other areas where social distancing is not an easy thing to do, there is some good news from the Department of Interior. During the Covid-19 outbreak, the National Park Service will be temporarily suspending park entrance fees starting on March 18, 2020. How long they will be free to enter remains an unknown. 

Olympic National Park has released a statement about the status of the park during the Covid-19 pandemic. In brief, all visitor centers are closed and Hurricane Ridge has suspended all winter operations. Not mentioned in the following press release is that the Makah Tribe has restricted access to Shi Shi Beach, as the trail is accessed through tribal lands. The following was sent by Olympic National Park on March 17th, 2020. 

An update I sent out a couple days ago to all our trail racers. If you’d like to stay informed and get some irregular updates on our trail races Wild Kaiser, Little Backyard Adventure, and Rock Candy Mountain Run sign up here. Thank you!

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Let me begin by making the assumption that no one who’s reading this lives under a rock (although that would be a pretty safe place to be at right now). We’ve all been glued to the news. Things are crazy and everything is changing by the hour.
Many of the popular early season races are being cancelled here in the PNW and worldwide and the global COVID-19 pandemic will have an effect on our races too.

Happy 148th Birthday to the first National Park!

On March 1st, Yellowstone National Park turned 148 years old! While the land has been around for millions of years, the region now known as Yellowstone National Park was formally protected by the United States Government in 1872. Signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, the Act of Dedication helped create the world’s first National Park and helped inspire a love and protection of Public Lands around the nation. 

One of Olympic National Park’s most popular trails, the Spruce Railroad Trail, will be closed until fall of 2020. As one of the only dog and bike friendly trails in Olympic National Park, the popular path along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Crescent is seeing some much needed TLC. From early March until November, the five mile route will be closed to all visitors. Here is what you need to know, according to Olympic National Park officials: