Stories & News

Get the latest news, how-to advice, and feature articles about the trail community, the current hiking season and issues impacting trails you love.

Get local news, how-to advice, and feature articles about our trail community, the current hiking season in Washington and issues impacting trails you love.

Learn more about: WTA member magazine | Signpost blog

Hiker Headlines: Artist Point Closing, Fee Free Day, Lahar Monitoring, Tonasket District, Aggressive Owls

Oct 08, 2020

It’s October 8th. State Parks are free this Saturday. Mount Rainier National Park wants your thoughts on changes to volcanic monitoring. The Tonasket Ranger District is now administered by the Colville National Forest. The good kind of forest fires, prescribed burns, are scheduled for the fall. And unseasonably frequent owl attacks have been reported. Here’s some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.”

Outdoor Ed: Head Outside for Fun and Learning

Oct 07, 2020

What a year. We're planted in front of glowing screens more than ever before, and parents have it especially rough, what with juggling jobs, childcare and trying to manage schooling at home. If you find yourself called upon to be a teacher as well as a parent these days, let WTA help you out.

Tacos for the Trail

Oct 02, 2020

In celebration of National Taco Day, we bring you some the WTA staff's favorite riffs on trail tacos.

Hiker Headlines: More Camping, Snow Falling, Plan a Park, Waterfall Reservations

Oct 01, 2020

It's October! State parks are extending the reservation and camping season at some parks. Snow is starting to fall in the mountains. elp plan the Miller Peninsula State Park near Sequim. And if you want to visit Multnomah Falls, you'll want to plan ahead. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.

Caring for Each Other on Trail

The skills we teach our crew leaders and volunteers can help cultivate a more welcoming trail community — whether on a work party or just out on your own. By Janée Romesberg

Finding a Little Bit of Balance in the Outdoors

Sep 28, 2020

For long-time WTA member Archana Bhat and her family, there’s no such thing as an uneventful backpacking trip.

Hiker Headlines: Fall, Outdoor Learning, Road Closures

Sep 24, 2020

It's Sept. 24. We definitely recommend fall hiking. We're excited to be able to resume our Outdoor Leadership Training program. And some roads are closing soon in the Olympic National Forest. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.

Outdoor Leadership Training Workshops and Gear Library Restart with New Safety Protocols

Sep 22, 2020

Outdoor Leadership Training experiential workshops and gear library lending are starting back up with new safety protocols to support community groups and organizations with their outdoor learning plans.

Hiker Headlines: Refuge Outdoor Festival and Film Release, Mount Rainier Survey

Sep 17, 2020

It's Sept. 17. Many outdoor areas continue to be closed due to fires and smoke. Find your joy at (online) Refuge Outdoor Festival or with a film release about Washington's Dark Divide area. Also: the future of Paradise is in your hands.

Changes are Coming to Mount Rainier National Park

Sep 15, 2020

Mount Rainier National Park wants to hear from visitors about the most popular access point to the park. The park is focusing on Paradise Road, and the facilities along it, from the Nisqually entrance near Ashford, all the way up to Paradise. The public has until Oct. 5 to comment on the plan.