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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Hiker Headlines: White River Bridge reopens early; Chinook, Cayuse passes closing for winter

Oct 23, 2025

Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass are closing for the winter on Friday. North Shore Road along Lake Quinault has also closed and I-90 near Cle Elum is closed due to overpass damage. But here’s some good news: The White River Bridge on SR 410 has opened ahead of schedule! And there’s snow in the mountains.

New plan to fire more national parks staff and rangers undercuts already short-staffed parks

Oct 21, 2025

The Trump administration detailed their plans to fire at least 2,050 staff who work for the Department of the Interior, including eliminating at least 272 additional positions at the National Park Service. The planned firing come on top of massive reductions in staffing for national public lands agencies since February. The cuts leave hikers less safe, reduce everyone’s access to public lands and must be overturned.

How WTA and public lands keep water clean for wildlife and people

Oct 20, 2025

60 million Americans rely on national forests for their drinking water. With that in mind, WTA builds trails that minimize impacts to waterways and can function as part of the surrounding landscape. We also advocate for land protections because protected and funded public lands mean clean water for people and wildlife.

Hiker Headlines: Road to Artist Point closed for winter; more Rainier roads, state parks to close; WTA public lands webinar

Oct 16, 2025

Join WTA’s advocacy team for a webinar on the latest on our national public lands and how we can continue to champion for our trails and public lands at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 29! It’s winter in the mountains — the road to Artist Point is closed for the season, and some roads at Mount Rainier are gearing up to close soon, too. SR 18, east of Tiger Mountain, is also temporarily closing for construction. And the Big Four Ice Caves have collapsed!

Hiker Headlines: Mountain snow incoming, free day, vote for your favorite photo

Oct 09, 2025

Friday is World Mental Health Day, and you can head to state-managed lands without a Discover Pass. Vote for your favorite photo in the Flora and Fauna category of WTA's photo contest. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has launched a new notification system for prescribed burns. And snow is coming to the mountains!

Hiker Headlines: Sunrise Road closing soon, last call for photo contest, Cascade River Road closure

Oct 02, 2025

The Washington State Department of Transportation has narrowed plans for the Fairfax Bridge to two options; WTA is working to support solutions that reopen access to this area of Mount Rainier. The Northwest Exposure Photo Contest closes soon! Sunrise Road is expected to close this weekend. Be aware of a few closures, including the end of Cascade River Road and the road near Multnomah Falls. And we have advice on hiking during the government shutdown.

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.