The popular Comet Falls Trail at Mount Rainier National Park, a portion of which has been closed since June 12, is expected to reopen to hikers today.
The closure was caused by a wash-out about a mile from the trailhead that took out a chunk of trail 10 feet across and 30 feet deep. Park crews and volunteers from the Washington Trails Association built a short path around the washed-out section.
The opening comes with one caveat, ranger Daniel Keebler said. About a quarter mile below Comet Falls, an avalanche has filled in a small creek. The foot-log crossing either isn’t visible or no longer is there, he said.
“It is very hazardous,” Keebler said. “It will be at your own risk from that point.”
The snow brought down by the avalanche will melt away eventually, but if the foot log is gone, the trail might be closed again.
“There would be no safe way to cross that creek,” Keebler said of Van Trump Creek, also called Falls Creek.
jeff.mayor@ thenewstribune.com
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