The Brief
- Federal budget cuts to the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service have led to noticeable deterioration in trail conditions, with overgrown paths and overflowing facilities, as highlighted by outdoor content creator Ame Manser.
- Manser’s viral video from the Hidden Lake Trail in North Cascades National Park shows unprecedented maintenance issues, worse than during COVID-era closures, affecting high-traffic routes.
- Budget cuts have resulted in reduced staffing, delayed trail openings, and minimal upkeep, raising concerns about the future condition of public lands and their economic value.
NEWHALEM, Wash. – Outdoor lovers warned months ago that federal budget cuts to the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service would hit hard come summer. Now, with summer in full swing, many say the impact is undeniable.
One of them is Ame Manser, a Spokane-based outdoor recreation content creator who recently posted a now-viral Instagram reel showing overgrown trails, overflowing pit toilets, and rutted paths on one of her favorite hikes in North Cascades National Park.
What they’re saying:
“We hike a lot in the Pacific Northwest, and we have been noticing it quite a bit more this year than previous years,” Manser told FOX 13. “We are avid hikers and backpackers. We are out most weekends.”…