Laughingwater Creek Trail at Mount Rainier National Park has been temporarily closed because of the possibility of dangerous wildlife encounters. The closure, announced Friday afternoon, will last until Sept. 19 or until further notice.
The closure is in effect from the trailhead at state Route 123 across six miles to the ranger cabin at Three Lakes. The trail is in the park’s southeast corner.
On Wednesday, a pack animal died of natural causes while on the trail. While the carcass has been moved off the trail, it might attract large predators such as bears or mountain lions, creating hazardous conditions for hikers.
Rangers will monitor the trail over the next week and a half to determine when the trail can be safely reopened.
Check the park website at nps.gov/mora for the up-to-date information on the status of this and all other park trails.
jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.