Foothills Trails Open for 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    

March 16, 2026                                          

Rachel Hansen, Chelan PUD: (509) 661-4320

Dania Contreras, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust: (509) 667-9708

Wenatchee Foothills trails open for outdoor recreation April 1

WENATCHEE, WA — Chelan County PUD and Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) will reopen the Wenatchee Foothills trail system for public use on Wednesday, April 1, marking the end of the seasonal winter closure.

Every December, these trails temporarily close to protect vital winter habitat for mule deer, giving wildlife the space they need to survive the harshest months without human disturbance. With spring on the horizon, the trails are ready to welcome hikers, runners, and nature lovers once again.

“Spring sunshine makes the trail inviting, but this is the most sensitive time of year for wintering mule deer,” said Kelly Cordell, Chelan PUD senior wildlife biologist. “When deer are disturbed now, they are forced to burn the limited energy reserves they need to survive until green-up. We appreciate the community’s support in respecting the closure and helping give deer the space they need.”

Learn more about the seasonal winter closures at CDLT’s Lunch and Learn on at noon Wednesday, March 25, at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. To register, visit www.cdlandtrust.org/events.

Chelan PUD manages Home Water Wildlife Preserve — approximately 960 acres in the heart of Sage Hills — as part of its federal license to operate Rock Island Dam. Winter closures are a condition of the permitted seasonal trail use.

Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and the City of Wenatchee also close public access to more than 2,200 acres of open space adjacent to PUD property to provide additional winter range for wildlife. 

“With the trails reopening, we’re thrilled to welcome people back into the Foothills,” said Ryan Graig, CDLT’s trails project manager. “We do ask that visitors continue to respect any maintenance closures signs. Our crews are still at work on Coyote Canyon, Lightning, and other trails. These upgrades will open soon and will make the Foothills even better for everyone.”

About the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust 

The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is a local non-profit working to conserve our land, our water, and our access to natural areas. The Land Trust has a 40-year record of working collaboratively with property owners and communities to identify and permanently protect the region’s most important natural lands. CDLT is a membership organization that relies upon the community's support to continue to preserve and care for lands in Chelan and Douglas counties. The lands that make this area unique. For more information: www.cdlandtrust.org

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Photo: Mule deer graze along the Wenatchee foothills in March 2024. The most sensitive time of year for mule deer is spring, when they must reserve energy to survive until more grasses and plants emerge from winter dormancy.