Signpost Blog

"This little newsletter has been an experiment so far, testing a hunch I've had that such a means of communication among walkers is needed." — Signpost magazine, 1966.

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Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Celebrate with a mooncake on trail

Oct 01, 2025

Mooncakes: the delightfully sweet, dense treat that folks eat during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Also, a great calorie-heavy snack for your hike!

A Washington hiker’s guide to the 2025 federal shutdown

Oct 01, 2025

As national parks, national forests and wildlife refuge operations shutdown and federal employees are furloughed, here's how hikers can still recreate responsibly across the state.

What’s the future for the bridge to the Northwest side of Mount Rainier?

Sep 30, 2025

In April, the 103-year-old Fairfax Bridge over the Carbon River closed permanently to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic, effectively cutting off access to the northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park. The Washington State Department of Transportation is now considering two options for the future: rebuilding the bridge north of its current location or keeping the bridge permanently closed.

Many hands make light work — how one Trailblazer troop gives back by cleaning tents and more

Sep 29, 2025

The members of Girl Scout Trailblazer troop 4389 regularly help out at WTA’s Seattle gear library to ensure that the gear is clean, in good working condition and ready to lend out to other youth programs. Their dedication helps ensure that more than 3,100 pieces of gear in the Seattle gear library are regularly maintained and ready for use.

Hiker Headlines: Discover Pass cost increasing; Blewett Pass, Lena Lake and more fire closures; free day

Sep 25, 2025

The cost of an annual Discover Pass will increase from $30 to $45 on Oct. 1. Wildfires have closed Blewett Pass and some trails. This Saturday is National Public Lands Day, and parking fees will be waived on federal and state lands. And, thank you for speaking up for the Roadless Rule!

Hiking with members of Congress to advocate for trails and national public lands

Sep 23, 2025

This summer, WTA worked with our nonprofit partners in Outdoor Alliance Washington to plan hikes with three congressional offices. Hiking with legislators gives everyone the opportunity to slow down, experience nature and talk about shared priorities.

Tiny tents and tool time: 20 years of marriage, 18 years of volunteering

Sep 22, 2025

Spokane-area assistant crew leaders Mary Beth and Jim Fitzgerald celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on-trail last fall by joining a day work party. Their shared love of the outdoors has shaped their relationship and shines through in their commitment to both each other and to trails. WTA gives them a way to spend time together and give back to trails at the same time.

Hiker Headlines: Lake 22 closed this weekend, High Rock closure extended, no water at Paradise

Sep 18, 2025

The Lake 22 trail will be closed this weekend, and the High Rock closure has been extended. There's no running water at Paradise. There's one more day to speak up for the Roadless Rule. And join WTA at some upcoming events, and Washington State Parks at a coastal cleanup!

Hike-a-Thon 2025: A record-breaking community effort for trails and public lands

Sep 17, 2025

In August, Hike-a-Thoners hit the trail to have fun and help raise funds for WTA.

Pack your patience and a trash bag this summer and fall

Sep 17, 2025

With national public lands stretched thinner than ever on staff and funding, hikers and trail users can help by taking extra care of the lands we all love. Here are a few ways you can help our shared lands and the people and organizations who work hard to protect them.

What I learned from a day of talking to people at a trailhead

Sep 15, 2025

For one day this summer, I got to spend most of a day seeing what a trailhead sees. I had never spent hours at a trailhead before, and the experience surprised me. It showed me the variety of people who use our public lands and why public lands need funding — to be able to serve all the different people seeking time outside.

Hiker Headlines: Speak up against Roadless Rule repeal, Naches Peak Loop, Ingalls Creek and more fire closures;

Sep 11, 2025

Speak up for the Roadless Rule, which protects 45 million acres of our national forests, as the federal government plans to repeal it. Submit your photos to WTA’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest by Oct. 6! And updates on fires and some other closures affecting trails.

Northwest Exposure 2025: Random acts of kindness

Sep 11, 2025

We want to see it all! From your random good deeds to the litter pick-up parties, we want to celebrate with you and with our community the amazing unseen (until NOW) good work from trail users all over the state.

45 million acres of national forest and 25,000 miles of trail could lose protection

Sep 08, 2025

For the past generation, one-third of our national forests, and more than 25,000 miles of trails, have been protected from development by the Roadless Rule. Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to remove this protection, opening 45 million acres (of 58 million acres that are currently protected) to road construction and activities like logging and mining. Speak up: take 30 seconds to ask that these places stay protected.

Hiker Headlines: 🔥, 🔥 and more 🔥

Sep 04, 2025

Wildfires are burning across the state, closing trails and roads, and the air quality is down. And Tribal leaders from Washington will lead a campaign across the Pacific Northwest to rally against a plan to repeal the Roadless Rule.

From St. Helens to the Gorge, WTA is bringing new and improved trails to Southwest Washington

Aug 29, 2025

In collaboration with hundreds of local volunteers, partner organizations and public lands staff, WTA is hard at work building and improving trails from residential Vancouver to the Mount St. Helens backcountry.

Hiker Headlines: Roadless Rule protections at risk, Hiker Happy Hour, Highway 123 will close near Rainier

Aug 28, 2025

Join us for Hiker Happy Hour in Seattle on Sept. 4! The Roadless Rule, which protects our national forests from logging and mining, is at risk. And be aware of a few big upcoming closures, including at Mount Rainier during September.

Hiker Headlines: Hike the State; Cascade River Road, Highway 410 major detours; HOT weekend weather

Aug 21, 2025

Join WTA for Hike the State next week! Expect detours on Highway 410 and around Cascade River Road due to bridge closures, as well as a closure on Albian Hill Road. And, there’s hot weather incoming this weekend.

Your photos matter more than ever for trails

Aug 20, 2025

Throughout the year, images submitted to the Northwest Exposure Photo Contest photos help support WTA's work. During these challenging times for public lands, your images matter more than ever.

Hiker Headlines: WTA on Dirtbag Diaries, safety alert for Rainier, Rainy Pass parking lot closure, Dosewallips Road wildfire

Aug 14, 2025

WTA was featured on the most recent episode of the Dirtbag Diaries podcast about the Forest Service staffing and funding cuts earlier this year. If you're planning to visit Mount Rainier soon, there's a safety warning for rivers you should know about. There are some major upcoming parking lot closures on Highway 20, including at Rainy Pass. The Dosewallips Flats Fire is burning on Dosewallips Road, and the Bear Gulch Fire is growing. And Hike-a-Thon is in full swing!

Hiker Headlines: Photo contest starts soon, free day, more Staircase-area fire closures

Aug 07, 2025

This Saturday is Smokey Bear’s birthday, so you can leave your Discover Pass at home. WTA is hiring! The Northwest Exposure Photo Contest starts Aug. 11. There are several fires burning across Washington state right now — here’s what to be aware of. And the King County Parks Levy passed!