Changelog

The Enchantments is one of the most sought-after backpacking permits in the country, and the rules confuse people every year. This new tool answers the questions in order: day hikes need no reservation (just a free trailhead permit and a parking pass); overnight stays need a permit during the May 15–Oct 31 season; and the advance lottery runs in late winter. It works out where the permit year sits today from the date, lists the zones and the group-size limit, and — the part that changes — flags the current trailhead-access situation, including the Icicle Road (FR 7600) vehicle closure and the out footbridges, with the ranger district number to confirm. Recreation.gov stays the place for live permit status.

Leavenworth has one direct road over the mountains — US-2 through Tumwater Canyon — and avalanche control, rockfall and flooding can close it with little warning (a washout shut the canyon for about two months last December). "Is US-2 Open?" lets signed-in drivers and neighbours mark the stretch where they're seeing a problem — Tumwater Canyon, Stevens Pass, the road down to Wenatchee, or the Chumstick detour — so the next person can check before setting out. It shows what people on the road are reporting, not an official status, and always carries WSDOT's real-time map, 511 and the detour routes alongside. It gets more useful as more residents sign in.

Leavenworth is online with four tools built around what the valley actually asks. "Is the River Running?" reads the live Wenatchee flow and places it against American Whitewater's published bands, with the float season and how to stay safe on cold water. "Weather Warnings" shows the National Weather Service alerts in force — storms, floods, fire weather and heat. "How's the Smoke?" gives today's air quality for wildfire season. And "When to Visit (and Where to Park)" lays out the calm and the packed weekends, with the free park-and-ride shuttle for when downtown fills.