Harts Pass Trailhead closed
The Harts Pass Trailhead, popular with Pacific Crest Trail hikers, will close temporarily for construction work in July, the U.S. Forest Service announced.
Contractors will be working at the trailhead, located 32 miles northwest of Winthrop, as soon as snow conditions allow, the Forest Service said. The work is part on an ongoing trailhead improvement project that will expand and improve parking areas at the main Harts Pass trailhead, according to a press release.
“These improvements will make it easier for visitors to park safely and enjoy a hike in the area or a picnic or just a scenic stop on a drive,” said Methow Valley Ranger District Recreation Manager Rosemary Seifried.
Harts Pass Road No. 5400 will be closed to all motorists for approximately five days in July from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, to allow for heavy equipment and gravel hauling. The road will reopen at the end of each work day for vehicle access.
The project will also include additional parking spaces and edge barriers for safety, along with two new toilets located at the upper and lower parking areas. The work is funded by Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.
Wagner Pool opens Saturday
Absent any last-second problems, the Wagner Memorial Pool is expected to open to the public on Saturday, June 17.
Pool Manager Thor Tyson said in an email that the facility will be staffed to accommodate a full schedule.
The Methow Valley Killer Whales swim team will have already tested the waters, as the teams practices were set to begin Monday (May 12).
For complete information about program times, fees and regulations, visit www.townoftwisp.com/services/parks___recreation/wagner_memorial_pool.php.
Fly Fishers Club meets
The Methow Valley Fly Fishers Club will meet at Bear Creek Golf Course on Tuesday, June 20, in the upstairs conference room, with a club social starting at 6:15 p.m., followed by club business and a presentation by Tara Gregg on the Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation’s upcoming projects on the Methow, with Q&A and group discussion. Visitors are welcome. Contact (509) 996-8147 for more information.
Hammer to compete at Spokane ParaSport event
Kady Hammer, Liberty Bell’s High School ambulatory 100-meter dash state champion, says she is “100% excited” to run one more time Saturday (June 17) at Spokane’s Whitworth College. She’ll be participating in the Pine Cone Classic, running both the 100M and 200M dashes. Spokane ParaSport sponsors and manages the annual meet for ambulatory and non-ambulatory athletes with a physical disability. The Pine Cone Classic has been around since 2017.
Hammer’s performance at the WIAA state championships attracted the attention of Spokane ParaSport Executive Director Teresa Skinner, who approached Liberty Bell coach Erik Brooks shortly after Hammer’s 14.56 second championship run in the 100M at state. That interest built into a commitment from the Mountain Lion sophomore to travel to the Lilac City for the meet. “We’re thrilled to have her,” Skinner said.
Hammer’s time at state stands as the fourth-fastest in the nation among high school athletes in the ambulatory class.
Kady is the daughter of Joe Hammer and Heidi Sullivan, and is the younger sister of Mountain Lion soccer graduating senior Jayden Hammer.
