Volunteer News

The stories of our volunteers and trail maintenance around the state.

Stories about volunteers and trail maintenance.

You can also read WTA volunteer stories, meet our hardworking crew leaders, and see standout volunteers at the Rock Wall of Fame.

A Year in the Life of a WTA Superstar

Jul 31, 2019

Jaime Weber, a WTA member and volunteer, looks forward to the start of her personal trail work season. She saves her summers for hiking, and turns to trail work as fall shifts to winter. But that doesn’t mean she sits on her laurels during her trail-maintenance off-months.

Hiker Headlines: Latina Trail Crew Works at Rainier, Libraries Help Hikers, Road Conditions

Jul 25, 2019

It’s Thursday, July 25. An all Latina crew got outside to give Rainier trails some much needed love. Look to your local library or your next hiking adventure. And WTA needs your help reporting on road conditions!

Making Trails and Mentoring Leaders at Little Mountain Park

Jun 11, 2019

Partnerships and mentoring are making this Mount Vernon trail system stronger.

Trails Rebooted Hits the Ground Running

Jun 11, 2019

While WTA’s Trails Rebooted campaign officially launched last month, we’ve been hard at work since early 2019. And we’re excited to share some of our early successes with you!

Hiker Headlines: Lots of Trail Work, Lots of Smoke, Free Days and More

Jun 06, 2019

It’s June 6. WTA volunteers gave back to trails in a big way on National Trails Day. A large fire has meant terrible air quality in Eastern Washington. A emergency drill is planned out at the Big Four Ice Caves. This weekend, lots of public lands won't require a pass to park. And avalanche forecasting season is over, but snow lingers in the high country.

Rebooting Washington's Trails on National Trails Day

Jun 05, 2019

WTA's delivering on our goal to support Washington's trails at every turn.

Hiker Headlines: National Trails Day, Unlikely Hikers, Climate Crisis, So Much Hiking

May 30, 2019

It's May 30. This weekend, we celebrate National Trails Day. State Parks will be free Saturday. The New York Times told the story of folks working to expand the narrative around who is a hiker. The climate crisis will be visible to people visiting national parks this summer. And you all have been doing so much hiking! Here's some hiker news you may have missed while out on trail.

Building More Than Trails in the Columbia River Gorge

May 16, 2019

How WTA and our partners are shaping the future of the Columbia River Gorge.

Rapid Response: WTA Crews Clear Popular Trails at Cougar Mountain

Apr 15, 2019

Winter storms took a toll on trails in Issaquah. WTA crews took a toll on the trees that came down in the winds.

Volunteer Crew Leaders Make Our Work Happen

Apr 22, 2019

If you've volunteered with WTA, you know the impact just one day on trail can make. But there might be more volunteers on your work party than you realize...

Where Are They Now: Jessie Thoreson Has Spent Every Summer Outdoors

Mar 11, 2019

Youth program alum and volunteer Jessie Thoreson been working outside since the summer she spent interning with WTA. She told us how interning with WTA helped her choose her major, and what she's been up to since then.

How WTA Volunteers are Making Time for Trails

Mar 07, 2019

Here at WTA, we know that time is a valuable resource — and one that is often in short supply. So we’re especially grateful that each year our volunteers collectively give thousands of hours to helping shape a lasting trail system for the future. We asked some of our devoted volunteers how they make the time to give back to trails — and why it’s worth it to them. Here’s what they had to say.

Trail Magic: Not Just for Thru-Hikers

Apr 25, 2019

Whether it's food, sharing spare gear, or making an extra effort to recognize a special moment, our volunteers help make WTA's volunteer community friendly, and work parties fun to return to.

Get to Know the Noble Puncheon

Mar 27, 2019

Have you ever wondered what those little bridges are that keep your toes dry and happy on trail? Well, meet the puncheon.

Lopping in a Winter Wonderland: Creative Trail Maintenance in Spokane

Feb 22, 2019

When we think about trail maintenance, a winter wonderland isn’t usually the first setting that comes to mind. But this winter in Spokane, volunteer crew leader Jane Baker proved it can work, and you can have a lot of fun doing it.

Behind the Scenes of Hiker Rally Day 2019

I'd been organizing WTA's Hiker Rally Day for months. But Hiker Rally Day 2019 didn't become real for me until I joined more than a hundred hiker advocates in Olympia on Feb. 19. | By Christina Hickman, WTA's advocacy associate

Backpack Hacks: Make This Year's Backcountry Trip Awesome

Feb 05, 2019

Learn tips for making your backcountry trip with WTA perfect.

Volunteer Profile: Dana Pounds

Jan 14, 2019

WTA trail work volunteer Dana Pounds is the definition of can-do. A 20-year battle with a rare form of cancer hasn't dimmed her positivity and optimism, and losing her leg hasn't kept her off trail. She joined WTA on her first work party earlier this month.

A Trail Work Party With Powerful History

Jan 16, 2019

This winter, WTA volunteers helped rejuvenate Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on Bainbridge Island.

Major Gains for Lost Trails Around the State

Dec 26, 2018

This year, more than 500 volunteers devoted nearly 15,000 hours of work to saving lost trails across the state. Follow along for a look back at everything we've been up to in our Lost Trails Found campaign.

Columbia Gorge Trails Reopen After Fire

Nov 28, 2018

Gorge area hikers rejoice! After more than a year of burn closures, several trails affected by the Eagle Creek Fire are back in business.

The Big-Picture Approach to Saving Our Trails

Through our Lost Trails Found campaign, we're working to save tomorrow's trails, today | by Rachel Wendling

Grant Helps Improve Trail Experiences in Hood Canal Area

Oct 25, 2018

Before & after: take a look at how trails were transformed thanks to a grant and a lot of hard work from WTA volunteers.

Lost Trails Found: Summer Progress Report

Sep 19, 2018

2018 was an incredible summer for our Lost Trails Found campaign! Take a peek at some of the work we accomplished throughout the season.

Two New Loops at Lyle Cherry Orchard

Sep 10, 2018

Thanks to the work of the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and a grant from the National Park Service, WTA will embark on the creation of two new loops and reroute on a section of the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail in Southwest Washington.

22 Years of Trail Work with WTA

Sep 06, 2018

From volunteer to WTA field manager, Alan Carter Mortimer has dedicated 22 years of work to Washington's trails.

WTA and PSE: A Powerful Partnership

Aug 30, 2018

WTA and Puget Sound Energy are powerful partners in 2018 as both are committed to the health of our environment and of our communities.

Volunteer Profile: Kim, Norah and Adam

Sep 10, 2018

Get to know three of our newest hard hat recipients.

Volunteer Profile: Clare Paden

Aug 01, 2018

How wrestling with one stubborn stump led one volunteer to taking a leadership role in trail work parties around the state.

Teaming Up with Northwest Youth Corps Up in the Pasayten

Jul 23, 2018

Thanks to WTA supporters and new partnerships, a Lost Trails Youth Corps crew will spend five weeks fixing hard-to-reach sections of trail in the Pasayten Wilderness.