The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will reopen the Mount Si and Little Si trailheads and trails at 8 a.m., Friday, March 9. The area was closed to public access after a single-engine airplane crashed in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) on Feb. 15, killing the three people onboard.

Initially, the area was closed while federal and local teams conducted an investigation into the cause of the crash. The area remained closed so that a helicopter salvage operation could remove the wreckage safely without risk to the public. Recovery efforts have been delayed due to winter-weather conditions and poor visibility.

DNR anticipates the plane wreckage will be removed prior to Friday. However, if efforts to remove the wreckage are postponed again, DNR will still reopen the area. The agency may need to close Mount Si NRCA for one day in the future to enable the salvage operation to take place safely.

“Public safety was our main reason for keeping the area closed during the attempted salvage operation,” said Doug McClelland. “We know how much the public enjoys visiting the Mount Si area. We appreciate everyone’s patience.”