Contractors will be resuming work at Hart’s Pass Trailhead in early July, as soon as snow conditions allow. This will involve hauling gravel in full size dump trucks, some with “pup” trailers. There will be approximately 60 loads of gravel being transported. The Hart’s Pass Road NFS#5400 will be gated and closed to recreational vehicles from July 24 through July 28 (Monday – Friday), between 0700 – 1700 daily, to allow for heavy equipment and large trucks to haul the necessary loads of gravel for the project. The gate will be opened at the end of each work day for recreational vehicles. Foot traffic is possible, and hikers should be alert to heavy equipment and stay off to the side to allow it to pass. Visitors should plan their travel accordingly.

The work is part on an ongoing trailhead improvement project that began in September, 2022. The project is funded by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and is expanding and improving the parking areas at the main Hart’s Pass trailhead. The improvements will ensure safer stock loading and staging areas, including room for stock trucks. The project will also include additional parking spaces and edge barriers for safety, along with two new toilets located at upper and lower parking areas. The trailheads 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. The project is expected to be complete by the end of summer 2023.

In the fall of 2021, the Methow Valley Ranger District installed two permanent bear boxes for food storage near the Hart’s Pass Guard Station. The bear-proof boxes are located where the PCT crosses Forest Service Road 5400-700, about 100 feet down the 700 road from the Hart’s Pass Guard Station Cabin. The boxes are highly visible and easy to locate from the PCT. Proper food storage for bears at the trailhead and on the trails helps avoid conflicts, and keeps bears alive! Please use bear proof containers or hang food 12 feet high and 6 feet away from trees.