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.

Meet the Lost Trails Found Crew for 2023

Jun 08, 2023

Our Lost Trails Found Crew has some exciting work planned for 2023. Meet some of the crewmembers and learn what they're most looking forward to this summer. By Joseph Gonzalez

Help Hikers! WTA Needs Volunteers at Trailheads This Summer

Jun 09, 2023

WTA is teaming up with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to help with welcoming and educating hikers and other outdoor recreationists. We're looking for volunteers in Central and Northern Washington to help us out.

Know Before You Go: Trails That Will be Closed this Summer

Jun 07, 2023

Heads up, hikers! A fair number of popular trails will be closed for all or part of the 2023 summer hiking season, due mostly to construction and much-need improvements (yay!) To help you plan better, here’s a roundup of closures we know about right now.

"After the First Day, I Was Hooked" — What Keeps WTA Volunteers Coming Back

Five WTA volunteers share how their time on trail has brought them community, skills and confidence.

The Greg Ball Trail: Bridging Past, Present and Future

May 08, 2023

WTA volunteers memorialize longtime WTA leader, Greg Ball, by renovating a bridge in his honor at Wallace Falls State Park.

A Crew Leader’s Story of Woodinville’s New Trail Next Door

May 05, 2023

Volunteer Micki Kedzierski shares her account of a new trail that creates easy access to nature for locals in unincorporated King County. The Greenbrier Trail (and the story of its development) are full of surprises.

Traveling Tools: Follow Our Trail Work Tools Across The State

From crosscut saws to Pulaskis, and from the coast to the Idaho border, WTA staff and volunteers are caring for trails with a versatile stash of tools. By Tiffany Chou and Holly Weiler

Young Trail Crews Lead the Way at Urban Glendale Forest

Apr 28, 2023

WTA youth volunteers and Emerging Leaders Program cohort members join forces to build a community trail. By Allie Tripp

WTA Work Party Puts Youth Volunteer on Path to an Outdoors Career

May 02, 2023

A WTA work party put a dedicated WTA youth volunteer on a path to a career in the outdoors.

Honoring a Volunteer for Decades of Dedication to Trails

Apr 17, 2023

WTA thanks Pat Limberg for years of volunteering, both on and off trail, with our white hat award. By Laura Norsen

We Survived Winter in Eastern Washington with Hot Cocoa, Camaraderie and a Rethinking of Trail Work

Mar 27, 2023

Outside Spokane, WTA trail volunteers find a way to give back to trails, help snowshoers and keep community all winter long.

Full Crews, Clear Trails, Can't Lose

Apr 06, 2023

Are you ready for spring? Washington's trails are, thanks to the volunteer crews who've been working all winter to prep them for hikers this season.

Get ready for youth volunteer vacations this summer

Mar 26, 2024

This summer, youth ages 14-18 can join us on trail for extended volunteer work parties, either in the backcountry or car-camping trips. Here's what you need to know before applications open up on April 1.

From Mud to Magnificent: How WTA Helped Transform a Neighborhood Park

Mar 21, 2023

WTA, in partnership with other groups, helps transform the muddy trails in Whipple Creek Park into a neighborhood greenspace fit for year-round use by hikers, bikers, equestrians and more.

Trekking by Transit: Tips from a WTA trip reporter

Mar 17, 2023

K. Huntress Inskeep is a Seattle-based writer and transit and active-transportation advocate who writes trip reports under the name TransitTrekker. When we noticed how far afield she had gotten using transit systems, we had to know more about her approach. So we called her up and asked her a few questions.

Why We Love Winter Trail Work

Feb 15, 2023

Trail work is a year-round endeavor for WTA. Winter lends itself to work on the Trails Next Door campaign, which focuses on trails close to urban communities. Joining a work party isn't just an opportunity to work on trails — it's a chance to build community.

Hiker Headlines: WTA Backcountry Preview, Hiker Rally Day, 6 More Weeks of Winter

Feb 02, 2023

Keep an eye out for a preview of WTA’s volunteer backcountry trip season. Join WTA for Hiker Rally Day on March 14 to advocate for trails. Part of the Cape Horn trail will be closed through July 15. Legislation to support wildfire prevention efforts and reduce the negative effects of wildfires has been introduced. And, the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter this year.

Summer Trail Work: Be Ready for WTA's Backcountry Trips

Feb 02, 2023

Endless rain, snow, and gray days gotcha down? Today you can start dreaming of long days full of light and a little bit of trail work, because WTA's backcountry trip schedule is ready to preview!

Interview With a WTA Ambassador

Jan 13, 2023

We recently sat down to talk with Kathleen Lange, a longtime WTA volunteer ambassador who’s been part of the program since 2018, to chat about why she loves the role and connecting with hikers.

Hiker Headlines: WTA's New CEO, Free Day, Call for Volunteers, Shuttle Service, Openings and Closures

Jan 12, 2023

A big welcome to our new CEO! January 16 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and parking fees are waived in some areas. WTA is looking for volunteer app developers. A shuttle service from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass is starting up. Olympic National Park has some closures due to weather. And, Samish Overlook has reopened.

Hiker Headlines: Good News From 2022

Dec 29, 2022

The year is almost over, and we want take a moment to reflect on the good things that happened for trails and public lands in 2022. Public lands got more funding. WTA helped open new trails — and improve many more. And across the state, the hiking community came together to support each other and the places we care about.

How WTA Ambassadors are Creating a Lasting Impact

Dec 19, 2022

WTA's work wouldn't be possible without volunteers, who help our work in many different ways. Volunteer ambassadors support WTA’s mission to mobilize hikers to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. Right now, we're welcoming new ambassadors. Learn more about the program and how to get involved.

2022 Trail Work Through the Seasons

Nov 30, 2022

Although the seasons change throughout the year, the enthusiasm of our volunteers and field staff to get out and get some trail work done never does. No matter the time of year, we make sure to get our hands on some tools and our feet in the dirt. Check out what a typical year of trail work looks like for us.

Hiker Headlines: WTA Now Hiring, Trail Reopens, Winter Closures and Hiking

Nov 17, 2022

WTA is hiring for our 2023 seasonal crew leaders and assistant crew leaders. The Annette Lake trail has reopened. Some roads may be closed intermittently or entirely for the winter season. And, make sure to take advantage of online resources to check conditions before heading out on your snowy hike.

Happy Hours and Happy Hikers: Building Community Among WTA's Fireside Circle

Oct 21, 2022

When you hang out with WTA's Fireside Circle members, it's impossible not to be inspired by their passion for trails and spirit of stewardship.

Hiker Headlines: Now Hiring, Volunteer Appreciation Week, Closures, Park Improvements

Oct 13, 2022

WTA is hiring! Join WTA for Volunteer Appreciation Week. Be aware of closures in North Cascades National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. A Seattle park has fully reopened with multiple improvements. And, wildfire prevention efforts continue — and it seems they are working. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Lost Trails Found Crews Crush 2022 Season With 58 Miles of Trail Work

Oct 10, 2022

WTA’s Lost Trails Found crews have earned a nice rest and many thanks from hikers after spending a whopping 6,790 total hours in the field doing trail maintenance this summer! Check out all the work our crews got done over the season.

Lost Trails Found Crews, Volunteers, Return to Trails in the Entiat

Oct 17, 2022

The Entiat has suffered from a number of wildfires over the last decade, and the damage from those burns is still being felt today. But thankfully, our crews have been chipping away at those damages.

Having Fun on Trail: Work Party Selfies!

Sep 23, 2022

Trail work can be hard and tiring, but WTA trail crews also know how to have fun. Just check out all the smiles, silliness and selfies from our work parties!

Trip Reporters Celebrate Southwest Washington Trails and Volunteers

Sep 12, 2022

WTA is hard at work improving and building trails in Southwest Washington. Get the latest updates and learn how you can support trails in this region of the state.