[Sculpin]

I'm confused. The last three trailheads I parked at had no "fee area" signs, even though they used to have them. I have had a pass each time, others did not. I did not see any enforcement happening. But when I forgot my annual pass at home one time, the ranger station in Leavenworth was happy to tell me where I could get a day pass in town. Anyone know what's going on?

[Damian]

A couple weeks ago the Skykomish ranger told me they were not enforcing vehicle passes or requiring hiking permits. Not sure if this is a local or district wide policy.

[Bedivere]

I've been to several trailheads where the bathrooms are closed or no garbage pickup is happening due to COVID related short-staffing. No pass is required at such trailheads because they're not supplying the required amenities. last year, even before COVID they weren't requiring NWFP/ATB passes at the Tucquala Meadows trailhead because a bridge along the road is starting to fail and can't support the weight of the pump trucks needed to maintain the bathrooms so they closed all the bathrooms along the road.

[neek]

Many trailheads now have "no pass required" signs posted. It's not clear to me if this is everywhere, or just some trails/districts. My pass expires next month so I need to decide when to renew it. Doing so right away might be a waste. But I just got booted from my upcoming WTA trip so no freebie this year. Last time I forgot my pass and went to get one for the day, the ranger station folks said don't worry about it, but that was a couple months ago. So I'm confused as well.

[Conrad]

Must depend where. At the Wallowas trailhead I was just at, the rest room was open, the fee-area signs were up, and the self-service day passes were stocked.

[Chief Joseph]

A couple of months ago the Darrington Station attendant told me that trail passes were not required due to the shutdown. I was there to get a firewood cutting permit, and they informed me that although I still needed one, it was no cost at this time. I had to wait outside while they brought me the paperwork.

[MyFootHurts]

Mt Pilchuck had a sign that implied a pass was required but you had to purchase it elsewhere as the fee box was no longer being used because of theft. Miller Peak and Navaho trailheads required passes last month when I was there. Don't know if anyone was writing tickets.

[Randito]

Indepent of the pandemic in order for the NWFP to be required at a trailhead it must have a minimum level of improvements. There have been several court cases, one example: http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2012/02/09/10-16711.pdf From the ruling the court ordered that the fee could only be required for sites containing at least four of the following improvements: (i) Designated developed parking. (ii) A permanent toilet facility. (iii) A permanent trash receptacle. (iv) Interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk. (v) Picnic tables. (vi) Security services. With the pandemic services like garbage collection and toilet servicing have been suspended or greatly reduced, so enforcement could run afoul of the court order. My overvation of the USFS facilities I've visited is that many "Developed Parking" areas in popular locations have been closed off and the vault toilets locked. I think these measures are intented to both save operational costs and to discourage crowds.

[Chief Joseph]

The answer is that you don't need one in Wa state at this time and even in the remote chance you receive a ticket, they won't pursue payment.

[xrp]

[Randito]

[Randito]

[Cyclopath]

Rainier area hike today, no sign that fees were being waved, a sign at the TH said Discover Pass doesn't count here. I got my NWFP by volunteering, maintenance on a trail I love. Sounds like I got cheated.

[Malachai Constant]

$30 vs a drive to Spokane and back, let me think about it Oh yhea the principle

[xrp]