WA mountain access faces long road to recovery as summer hiking season begins

With the summer hiking season kicking off, many popular trails in Washington's Olympic and Cascade Mountains remain inaccessible due to last year's wildfires and atmospheric river floods, causing a significant disruption for outdoor enthusiasts. The extensive road closures highlight the ongoing recovery efforts and the impact of severe weather on these natural areas. This situation underscores the need for long-term strategies to manage and restore these vital recreational spaces, especially as climate change continues to affect weather patterns.