Nature on Trail

Nature on Trail: Moose, Elephant's Head

Jun 20, 2019

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the moose and elephant's head, and where you can find them.

Hiker Headlines: Safety Pink, National Parks, Climbing Ranger Gigs and Bats

Apr 25, 2019

It's April 25. Pink is for safety. Spring is for celebrating national parks And bats needs us humans to take care of them. Here’s some hiker news that you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Hiker Headlines: New Wolf Pack, Raise a Toast to Trails, Beware Olympics Road Construction and Cascades Snow

Apr 11, 2019

It's April 11. Washington wolves have moved to the west side of the state. We'd love to raise a toast to trails with you in Ellensburg. It's the beginning of road work season — and it's still snow season in the mountaing.

Nature on Trail: Avalanche Lily, Pygmy Rabbit

Apr 05, 2019

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two common species, the Yellow Avalanche Lily and Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit, and where you can find them.

Quiz: Are You a Hiker or a Hibernator?

Jan 11, 2019

Are you a dozing bear or a hopping hare?

How to Photograph Wildlife in Winter

Shorter days and colder weather doesn't mean you need to put the camera away for the winter season.

Ethical Wildlife Photography: What You Need to Know

Jan 08, 2019

Wildlife photography is highly rewarding, but it's vital to respect the wildlife you're photographing. Photographer Heather Clark shares her tips.

3 Incredible Wildlife Cams to Brighten Your Day

Oct 26, 2018

Ever what your trail friends are up to when you're not around? These wildlife cams shed some light.

Nature on Trail: Quaking Aspen, Gray Wolf

Oct 03, 2018

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two common species, the Quaking Aspen and Gray Wolf, and where you can find them.

Nature on Trail: Western Tanager, Western Anemone

Aug 09, 2018

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two common species, the Western Tanager and Western Anemone, and where you can find them.

Nature on Trail: American Dipper, Skunk Cabbage

Mar 15, 2018

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two common species, the American Dipper and Skunk Cabbage, and where you can find them.

Visit the Skagit River for Eagle Viewing and Hiking

Jan 05, 2018

The Skagit Eagle Festival in January offers chances to see eagles up close and learn more about them.

Hair Ice: Even Cooler Than You Thought

Dec 14, 2017

You’ve probably seen hair ice while hiking on a cold day. You might have thought it was a weird fungus. You may have even asked on a mycology forum or a trip report, “What kind of fungus is this?” If, however, you ever lean down to examine it and give it a touch, you’ll discover that it melts away from the warmth of your hand.

Fisher Baby Spotted at Mount Rainier a Good Sign for Recovery

Sep 26, 2017

A small but fierce species is making a comeback in the Cascades. For the first time in 80 years, fishers are reproducing in the region.

Whitebark Pine: A Subalpine Keystone Struggles to Survive

Aug 31, 2017

High up in the mountains, a tree called whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) shows us just how interconnected our natural world is. This tree is vital to our subalpine ecosystems and much of the life that exists below them.

Bring on the Bugs: A Key to Identifying 10 Common Washington Insects

May 25, 2017

Although they are small, insects control much of our natural environment! They pollinate flowers, decompose organic material into soil, and provide food to many other species. The next time you and your family are out hiking, try to spot one of these ten common Washington insects.

Beware out There -- it's Tick Season

Apr 28, 2017

Ticks are showing up on trails. Don't let it keep you from hiking, but be prepared so you don't end up with an unwanted hitchhiker.

Why Do Trees Grow in Spirals?

Apr 04, 2017

Washington is full of beauty— summits, mountain lakes, shrubsteppe, the Salish Sea, the Pacific Ocean and forests—that beckons us outdoors. Along with this pronounced beauty comes a plethora of natural oddities.

No Matter How Cute They Are, Don't Feed the Wildlife

Mar 21, 2017

Spring is a busy time for wildlife. Here are a few reasons why it's important to give animals plenty of space.

Two Awesome Videos of Washington Wildlife Fishing

Dec 20, 2016

An Olympic National Park ranger recently spotted a bobcat salmon-fishing. Which reminded us of that time when two snakes fought over a fish, and a trip reporter caught it on camera.

Sharing the Trail: Wildlife Sightings (Slideshow)

May 08, 2015

Spotting a bird, mountain goat or bear along the trail always adds excitement to a hike. Check out some a small sampling of images captured by the hiking photographers who participated in our Northwest Exposure Photo Contest in 2014

Citizen Science: Help Study Pikas, Marmots, Invasive Plant Species

Apr 30, 2015

Want your hiking adventures to contribute to conservation science? Check out some of the citizen science programs needing hiking volunteers to watch for wildlife and invasive plants all summer long.

Wildlife Spotting: Velella Velella on Olympic Coast

Apr 28, 2015

Trip reporter lildoppler recently hiked the Sand Point portion of the Ozette Triangle Loop and spotted some of the Velella velella that have been showing up en masse on Washington's coast and making headlines.

Video: Citizen Scientists in Search of Olympic Pine Marten

Jun 11, 2014

This winter, adventure science volunteers donated three months of their time to help Olympic National Forest biologists study pine marten. Watch the video and hear from WTA volunteers about what its like to become citizen scientists.

Nature on Trail: Western Tanager, Mule Deer, Western Hemlock

Mar 31, 2014

Northwest forests are teeming with life -- much of which may go overlooked or unseen. On your next hike, look out for the western tanager songbird, the big ears of the mule deer and Washington's official tree, the western hemlock.

Video: Who Walks On Trail When You're Not There?

Jan 31, 2014

Who travels on trails when you're not there? Our neighbors to the north stitched together four months of (delightful) footage from a remote camera focused on a closed trail in Waterton Lakes National Park (north of Glacier National Park).

Nature on Trail: Snowy Owl, Elk, Western Redcedar

Jan 29, 2014

Northwest forests are teeming with life -- much of which may go overlooked or unseen. On your next hike, look out for the little things and discover something new on your favorite trails.

Nature on Trail: Varied Thrush, Douglas Squirrel, Tall Oregon Grape

Dec 04, 2013

The Northwest forests are teeming with life—many of which may go overlooked or unseen. On your next hike, look out for the little things and discover something new on your favorite trails.

Nature On Trail: Great Horned Owl, Western Toad, Chanterelle Mushroom

Sep 19, 2013

Northwest forests are teeming with life—much of which may go overlooked or unseen. On your next hike, look out for the little things and discover something new on your favorite trails.

A Fungus Right Out of 'A Game of Thrones'

Sep 17, 2013

The Red Juice Tooth Fungus, recently spotted on the Silver Falls Loop, is a spectacularly creepy specimen that seems like it might be related to the fictional Weirwood tree in A Game of Thrones series. When you're hiking this fall, keep your eyes peeled for mushrooms and cool fungi.