Washington Trails & Taps Weekly Recap: June 30 – July 6, 2025
As the sun tiptoed into the first week of July, trails across Washington offered up their summer secrets—rushing waterfalls, alpine meadows in bloom, and marmots sunning on granite thrones. Meanwhile, burn bans crept across the map like a slow red tide, urging hikers to trade smoky campfires for silent stargazing. Here’s what the boots-on-the-ground and eyes-in-the-canopy had to say.
🌿 WTA Trip Report Highlights
- Palisades Trail & Lower/Upper Dalles Falls
Hiked in early July. The guidebook was recently refreshed, and solo trekkers report crisp cascades and clear alpine views
(WTA Palisades hike page). - Comet Falls (Mount Rainier region)
Hiked July 3. Park condition updates & recent reports suggest normal flow—trail open and accessible
(WTA Comet Falls page). - Heather–Maple Pass Loop
Hiked this week. With over 1,200 recent trip logs, this loop remains a hotspot, offering wildflower meadows and expansive ridge views
(WTA Maple Pass page).
🛡️ Park & Ranger Updates
- Dosewallips State Park – Burn Ban Level 3 in effect (gas/propane only; no wood or charcoal) since June 25 (WA State Parks Alerts).
- Fields Spring State Park – Level 3 ban began July 3 (gas/propane only) (WA State Parks Alerts).
- Lyons Ferry State Park – Upgraded to Level 3 burn ban on July 3; wood fires now prohibited (WA State Parks Alerts).
- Riverside State Park – Burn Ban Level 2 as of June 6; wood fires only in designated pits until further notice (Riverside Park).
- Paradise Point State Park – Burn Ban Level 1; campfire pits allowed—but day-use area under construction through July 28 (Paradise Point).
🌳 Regional Burn Bans & Alerts
- Steamboat Rock State Park – Level 3 ban activated June 30 for Osborn & Jones Bay campgrounds (WA State Parks Alerts).
- Lake Wenatchee State Park – A Level 3 burn ban has been in effect since June 6 (Lake Wenatchee).
- Palouse to Cascades Trail – Burn Ban (no fires) plus construction at Kittitas Depot through July 31; Malden Trailhead water outage reported June 30 (Palouse Trail Alerts).
- Saltwater State Park – Burn Ban Level 1; campground area closed for flood/erosion projects since June 16 (Saltwater State Park).
🚓 Ranger & Park Patrol Notes
No significant new patrol updates are available, but with tighter burn restrictions, expect an increased ranger presence and increased messaging. Good time to connect with regional offices for real-time trailhead conditions or safety inquiries.
🔔 Notes for Hikers
- 🔥 Burn Safety: Numerous parks are now under Level 3 bans—please use propane stoves or verify where wood fires are still allowed.
- 🚰 Trail Access: Be aware of the Malden Trailhead water outage on the Palouse to Cascades Trail.
- 🛀 Construction Alert: Paradise Point day-use area remains closed through July 28.
- 🦅 Environmental Watch: Wet weather erosion projects at Saltwater may temporarily disrupt trails and campgrounds.
