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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Last Chance to Comment on Motorized Use of State Parks Long-Distance Trails
Sep 26, 2014
State Parks needs to hear from hikers, trail runners and bicyclists regarding the future of motorized use on our long-distance trails, like the John Wayne Trail to the Klickitat Trail to the Centennial Trail.
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Call for Clarity on Forest Service Film/Photo Policy
Sep 25, 2014
This week, the National Forest Service came under intense scrutiny for a set of guidelines they were in the process of finalizing around who needs to secure (and pay for) special permits to take commercial photos and videos in wilderness areas. A lack of clarity in the federal guidelines left many journalists, professional and amateur photographers, guidebook authors, nonprofits and hikers wondering if the Forest Service guidelines could, or should, be applied to them.
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Future of Hiking Trails on DNR Lands Depends on You
Sep 24, 2014
Help shape the future of trails like Mailbox Peak, Oyster Dome and Mount Si. Attend an upcoming meeting on DNR’s recreation trails policy, and help shape the future of state trails for years to come.
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Summer Sendoff: A Week in Trip Reports
Sep 22, 2014
Soak up the last of summertime hiking through your fellow hikers' trip reports, starting with these eight. File your own report, grab a coffee and find out how Washington hikers sent off the last official week of summer.
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Watch the Enchanted Valley Chalet Slide to Safety
Sep 16, 2014
Watch a time lapse video of the Enchanted Valley Chalet being moved away from the bank of the East Fork Quinault River.
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Made by Hand! New Route Opens on Mailbox Peak
Sep 16, 2014
On National Public Lands Day, the ribbon will be cut on a trail to the summit of one of Puget Sound's most popular destinations. A new trail was scoped and built to the summit of the popular Mailbox Peak. WTA helped build a new trail that offers a 5.25-mile alternate route that safely and sustainably transports hikers up the mountain. It even offers some of the steepness of the original route, without the treacherous descent.
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Be a Part of Something Big: National Public Lands Day
Sep 16, 2014
WTA volunteers give back to trails all year round, but National Public Lands Day is a national opportunity to come together with volunteers all across America and give back to trails! Join WTA on trail September 27, and help keep Washington's trails hikable and safe.
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Cascade River Road Remains Open
Sep 12, 2014
In good news for hikers with their sights set on the Cascade Pass Trail, the Cascade River Road will remain open until late fall. Planned repairs on the road have been delayed until 2015.
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Hike and Bike Weekend in the Stillaguamish Valley
Sep 11, 2014
With the weekend almost upon us and sunshine in the forecast, you may be making your weekend recreation plans. One idea is to explore the Stillaguamish Valley during Bike and Hike Weekend.
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PROJECT WILD THING: Film Encourages Kids to Play Outside
Sep 10, 2014
Reconnecting kids with nature is one preventative measure for improving children’s health, and British documentarian David Bond is leading the charge with PROJECT WILD THING: a hilarious, real-life film of one man's determination to get children out and into the ultimate, free wonder-product: Nature.
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Horses and Handsaws: Repairing Trails with the Help of Back Country Horsemen
Sep 10, 2014
Each year, several of WTA's Volunteer Vacations and Backcountry Response Teams (BCRTs) are supported by Back Country Horsemen of Washington (BCHW). This year, WTA employees got a firsthand look at what goes into repairing trails with the help of a pack string.
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The Adventure Gap: Q&A with Author James Edward Mills
Sep 04, 2014
Recently, WTA sat down with author James Edward Mills to talk about his upcoming book The Adventure Gap, set to be released by Mountaineers Books in October 2014. In it, Mills chronicles Expedition Denali—the first all-African-American summit attempt on Alaska's Mount Denali—and creates a compelling case for all Americans to embrace their place in the great outdoors.
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Reflections on Hiking and Fear: One Hiker Faces Her Nemesis
Sep 04, 2014
Thirty years ago, a friend invited Carolyn Schott to hike to Melakwa Lake. A less-than-ideal first experience turned her off hiking for 25 years. Last month for WTA's Hike-a-Thon, this hiker and author returned to Melakwa to face down the trail that nearly conquered her. Read what brought her back to hiking.
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ONP’s Enchanted Valley Chalet Moving, Temporarily
Sep 04, 2014
Olympic National Park has begun work to move the Enchanted Valley Chalet. During the two-week project, hikers should be aware of a few restrictions in the area. The move is a temporary measure to protect the chalet, which has been threatened by a change in course of the valley's East Fork of the Quinault River.
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Sir-Hikes-a-Lot: Thru-Hiking 1,200 Miles on the PNT for Kids
Aug 26, 2014
Meet hiking hero, Erik Antonelli (aka Sir-Hikes-a-Lot), who is currently in the middle of hiking 1,200 miles of the rough and rugged Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) to raise funds for WTA’s Youth Program. It's a project he's dubbed Thru-Hiking for Kids.
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Dawn Patrol: Early Morning Inspiration from Your Fellow Hikers
Aug 26, 2014
Sunrise photos require a certain amount of dedication to capture, since they usually mean a painfully early start or some planning the night before. Get inspired by a view of the weekend sunrises from trails around Washington.
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Sponsor a Hiker to Triple Your Impact
Aug 25, 2014
If you and 24 other hikers join WTA on Monday, August 25, by sponsoring a Hike-a-Thoner, a generous group of donors will match your gift dollar-for-dollar. You’ll be helping WTA, protecting trails, doubling your dollars and giving a Hike-a-Thoner a boost in their last week.
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Green Trails Maps Get an Ultralight, Waterproof Refresh
Aug 22, 2014
Since their beginning in 1973, Green Trails has issued several versions of their maps: from the original 18x24 inch paper ones, to more utilitarian water-proof and tear-resistant versions. Now they've issued Gold Standard Editions; part of a 2014 refresh of the company's branding, which includes a new website and logo.
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Four Terrific Maintenance Trips on the Olympic Peninsula
Aug 18, 2014
For many, the Olympic Peninsula can be a bit of a drive for a day work party. Make the most of your time spent here and lend a hand to trails by spending two or more days helping us build and maintain trails in the lush Olympic rainforest! Coming up in September, WTA has a weekend work party and several Backcountry Response Team (BCRT) trips that could use your help.
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Wildfire Update: Norse Peak Wilderness and Mount Rainier
Aug 13, 2014
The thunderstorms that walloped Western Washington earlier this week caused 17 new fires to spring up, but 15 of those were contained almost immediately. While fires continue to rage in parts of Washington, some confusion has arisen as to which areas are open to hikers. Here is some clarity for those interested in the status of trails in the Norse Peak Wilderness and the Mount Rainier backcountry.
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Hike-a-Thon: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Aug 12, 2014
Hike-a-Thoners have been logging hundreds of miles in support of trails, and for some, it's been taking it's toll in the form of sore joints and painful blisters. Whether you are participating in Hike-a-Thon or not this year, check out WTA's tips for staying fit and trail-ready.
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