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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Log On, Lace Up
Nov 07, 2017
It can be hard to find a community that shares your passion for hiking. Local Facebook groups like Washington Hikers & Climbers or PNW Outdoor Women are connecting modern hikers.
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Saving Lost Trails, One Step at a Time
Nov 06, 2017
WTA launched our Lost Trails Found campaign, with the goal of restoring trails that are slowly but surely disappearing. Key trails were identified and WTA marched onward with the ambitious goal of rehabilitating at least three lost trails.
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Good News for Hikers Near Spokane
Nov 03, 2017
Thanks to funding from REI, WTA tackled more Spokane-area trails in 2017. Working closely with Spokane County Parks, Washington State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management, WTA identified several Spokane-area trails for high-priority trail work this year.
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Hold Your Line to Help a Trail
Oct 31, 2017
Hiking may be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other, but how and where your shoe lands has a bigger impact than you may think. Whether you’re zigzagging toward a summit, bombing back down to the trailhead or sloshing ankle-deep through mud, there is no easier way to help trails than by simply staying on them.
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Lake Serene Trail Goal Met, Land Won't Be Logged
Oct 31, 2017
With your help, our partners at Forterra have reached their goal of raising $275,000 in order to purchase the land surrounding the Lake Serene Trail and protect it from being logged.
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Planty McPlantface in Latin? Your Chance to Name a New-to-Science Plant
Oct 26, 2017
A botanist has identified a new species of plant near Leavenworth. He's offered up the scientific naming rights to help raise money for outdoor education.
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Comment on National Parks Proposal to Increase Entrance Fees
Oct 25, 2017
In a recent press release, the National Park Service has announced a proposed peak season fee increase at 17 popular parks across the country, including Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks. Learn more and submit your comments by December 22.
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How to Hike the Olympic Peninsula by Bus
Oct 17, 2017
If you don't have a car, it can be a challenge to go hiking farther afield Washington state. Connect to these six trailheads on the Olympic Peninsula by bus or bike. Included is a sample itinerary and some general transit tips, too!
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Be a Part of the Gorge Trails Recovery Team
Oct 17, 2017
There is no question as to why the Gorge is seen as a gateway to all outdoor adventure. Over the past month this beautiful place has been devastated by intense wildfire. Now is the time to rebuild! Learn how you can help be apart of the trail restoration efforts in the Columbia River Gorge.
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Enjoy Nature Anywhere: Find Feelings of Wilderness Close to Town
Oct 16, 2017
It can feel like a challenge to connect with nature and capture the sense of solituide close to town—but it’s not impossible. A few tips to find that wild feeling.
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Gear Review: Shoes
Oct 16, 2017
The shoes you wear are the literal base for your adventure on trail. Choosing the right ones can make your trip easier and more enjoyable. Here are four shoes that our gear team has tried out recently, from a sturdy four-season boot to a water-friendly light hiker.
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Final Weekend to Ride: Successful Season for King County's Trailhead Direct Service
Oct 12, 2017
This weekend marks the end of King County's new transit-to-trailhead pilot project in the Issaquah Alps. With a successful first season, King County announces a continuation of the program for Spring 2018 as well as the possible addition of trailheads along the 1-90 corridor.
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Ranger Found Her Dream Job
Oct 12, 2017
Meet Sydni Snyder. Each year, Sidney participates in the great ranger migration. She’s been a ranger in national parks in New Mexico, Florida and Massachusetts in the winter. In the summer, however, she always returns to Olympic National Park.
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The Truth Behind Bug Trails
Oct 11, 2017
You’ve likely clambered over a barkless tree trunk across the trail and come face to face with a weird, artistic pattern carved in the wood. The artists in this case are beetles. Yes, beetles, and the natural, artistic display is known as a beetle gallery.
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Help Save the Every Kid in a Park Program
Oct 10, 2017
Now in its second year, the Every Kid in a Park program has allowed hundreds of thousands of fourth graders from around the country to gain free entry to over 400 National Parks and Monuments. Although the successful program has already been approved for a third year, Congress has recently delayed action on a bill that would have made the program permanent.
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Update on Logging the Lake Serene Trail
Oct 06, 2017
A portion of the popular trail to Lake Serene travels through private timber land, and a scheduled logging project has closed the trail through July 2018. There is still time to protect the Lake Serene Trail from direct logging.
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Sharing a Love for Adventure
Oct 03, 2017
Every year, WTA invites photographers to share their favorite photos for our annual contest. Photographer and avid adventurer Christy Pelland shared this trail family shot during last year's contest.
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Night Hikes & Harvest Moons
Oct 01, 2017
Hiking under a full moon is a fun and adventurous way to shake up your hiking routine. Nighttime hiking has its own challenges: less visibility on the trail, late-night sleepiness and cooler temperatures. Here are some tips and ideas for your next full-moon hiking adventure.
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Book Review: Seattle Walks
Sep 26, 2017
“Seattle Walks” is a great place to get started on an urban adventure. The book’s 17 walks will train you to look for things you’ve never noticed before as you walk the Cheshiahud Loop or from Elliott Bay to Lake Washington.
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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.
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Meet the Trail Community: First Generation Hiker
Sep 21, 2017
Meet a woman who is the first in her family to go hiking, and learn what inspired her to start.
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