The five most commonly asked questions received by ambassadors

Ambassadors— WTA’s outreach volunteers— support WTA and hikers by conducting outreach at events and trailheads across the state. This means they’re communicating directly with the public about hiking all the time and they get asked a lot of questions. But, what do they get asked the most? Here’s what they had to say: 

WTA ambassadors are always up for a fun and educational conversation at events, like the Yakima Arborfest. Photo by Chloe Ferrone

I am new to Washington. Where should I go hiking?

• We're seeking in-person ambassadors outside the greater Puget Sound area
• If you think in-person outreach is the right volunteer opportunity for you and you live outside the Puget Sound, we want to hear from you!
  
  Visit our ambassador page to learn more and apply.

Answer: WTA has a Hiking Guide and a Hike Finder Map. They’re basically an information catalog about the trails in Washington. You can use filters to choose a hike suited to your interests, and can even receive hikes suggested specifically for you. For example, you can search for hikes by elevation gain, length, features (such as lakes or waterfalls), as well as whether hikes are kid or dog-friendly. For each hike you’ll also find trip reports filed by other hikers who have recently hiked the trail, which detail road conditions, parking and other useful information. 

Does WTA organize group hikes?

Answer: No. However, ambassador Krithika Sankaranarayanan makes sure to note that, “by joining us for a trail maintenance work party, you are not only helping us maintain trails, but also joining a wonderful community of like-minded individuals.” 

You can also find resources for discovering other trails organizations and groups through WTA on the Hiker Events page of our website. We may not lead hikes ourselves, but we are a hub to get you connected with folks who would love to hike with you. 

Which pass do I need to hike here? 

Answer: Different passes are required depending on who manages the land you’ll be hiking on. There are three main types of passes: those for National Parks, Discover Pass (for state-owned land), and Northwest Forest Pass (for federally owned lands). While a NW Forest Pass will grant access to U.S. Forest Service land, if you're willing to spend a bit more, an America the Beautiful Pass grants access to all different federally owned lands So, depending on how much hiking you’re planning to do, and where, this could be worth it! All of these passes are simple to acquire, but just be sure to plan ahead. And, pay special attention to the season. When you are snowshoeing in winter, some places may require you to obtain a Sno-Park pass.

Sometimes, in addition to a parking pass, you need to also have a permit. For example, hikers need a day entrance permit to enter Mount Rainier National Park at specific times and locations. Most places also require permits for backcountry camping. Please check WTA’s passes and permits webpage to make sure you have what you need.

Volunteers spending the afternoon representing WTA at REI Seattle. Photo by Stephanie Zamora 

What is WTA all about? 

Answer: WTA is the largest hiking based non-profit in the country, focused on building a community of hikers and people who love the outdoors. We lead thousands of volunteers in efforts to build and maintain trails across Washington. In addition, we ensure that hikers have a voice through our advocacy work, help people get outside safely and responsibly with our extensive website and publications and we also provide programs for training youth leaders who want to get outside with young people. 

I noticed that this trail I like to hike on is in bad shape. Can WTA fix that? 

Answer: Yes and no. The best way to ensure that something you see on trail gets fixed is to write a trip report! WTA staff and land managers use trip reports to help plan ahead for what needs to be done next. Since WTA does not own the land, we work with land managers and other partners to prioritize which trails to work on and when. You can get involved with advocating for your public lands through WTA, making sure that agencies like the Forest Service are funded so that we can all continue to take care of trails. 

In addition to answering questions, ambassadors are quick to report that they experience a lot of love and enthusiasm for WTA and its mission. Ambassador Katie White notes that along with these questions, she often hears “I love WTA!” while she’s conducting outreach.

If you think in-person outreach is the right volunteer opportunity for you and you live outside the greater Puget Sound region, we want to hear from you! Visit our ambassador page to learn more and to fill out a quick interest form.