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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Roadless Rule Upheld By 10th Circuit

Oct 24, 2011

The Roadless Area Conservation Policy, a Clinton-era rule that set 58.5 million acres nationwide (more than 2 million in Washington) aside from road-building, was upheld by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday.

Gratitude for Craig McKibben

Oct 21, 2011

WTA's new executive director, Karen Daubert, writes about how her first two weeks on the job were made so much easier by the work that Craig McKibben did while filling in during the interim.

Randy King Named Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park

Oct 18, 2011

The new superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park is Randy King. Randy King has a 34-year history with the National Park Service, serving in six national parks and the Intermountain Regional Office. He's been Mount Rainier's deputy superintendent since 2003 and also served as the acting superintendent from 2009 to 2010. WTA looks forward to working with King in his new capacity at Mount Rainier.

The Last Best Weekend of Hiking

Oct 17, 2011

It was the last best weekend of hiking. Larches at their peak brilliancy. Red huckleberry bushes with a few remaining berries. Lots of sun, but not too much snow. Cool, but not yet frigid. Where did hikers go? And what did they have to say? A look at Trip Reports.

RTP Extended Until March 31

Oct 13, 2011

Congress has extended the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through March 2012. RTP provides funds to states for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities and is a major source of WTA's trail work funding.

White Chuck Road Reopens

Oct 12, 2011

The flooding of 2003 washed out roads and trails throughout the west side of Glacier Peak. Today, after nearly eight years, access to the the White Chuck River has been restored and the White Chuck Road (FR 23) reopens to vehicles until just beyond the turn off for Rat Trap Pass (FR 27).

Microsoft 5k Run/Walk to Benefit Trails

Oct 12, 2011

Microsoft employee? Sign up for the Microsoft Giving Campaign 5K Run/Walk on Friday, October 14 - and your participation will benefit WTA!

WTA Welcomes New Executive Director

Oct 10, 2011

Washington Trails Association is pleased to announce our new Executive Director - Karen Daubert.

Upper Icicle Road Reopens Saturday

Oct 06, 2011

The Upper Icicle Road near Leavenworth will reopen to motorized use on Saturday, October 8. This popular road has been closed beyond Ida Creek since May 2008 when a landslide and flooding took out a portion of the roadbed. WTA offers three fall hiking choices for autumn beauty.

Amgen Foundation Grant Supports Youth Volunteers

Sep 29, 2011

The Amgen Foundation has awarded the WTA youth program a $15,000 grant. Two employees also helped out by delivering ice cream to a group of high school volunteers in August.

WTA Celebrates National Public Lands Day

Sep 28, 2011

WTA helped celebrate our national public lands by taking 151 volunteers out on 13 work parties for this year's National Public Lands Day.

Pete Dewell Nears 1000 Days on the Trail

Sep 27, 2011

Of the 29,565 days (give or take a couple hundred) that he has been living, Pete Dewell has given 1000 of those days to trail work. On October 13th, at age 81, he will become the first WTA crew-leader to hit 1000 days of all-volunteer trail work with WTA.

2011 Top Trip Reporters

Sep 26, 2011

The top trip reporters of 2011, as well as a summary of this year's trip report statistics so far.

Volunteers Restore Kelly Butte Lookout

Sep 21, 2011

On September 11th, the Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest hosted a Kelly Butte Lookout re-opening dedication and volunteer appreciation ceremony. WTA member and assistant crew leader Bob Adler was recognized for his five years of work to restore the lookout. And Washington Trails Association was recognized for its assistance in building a series of rock steps on the trail to Kelly Butte. And

Secret Trail Unveiled

Sep 19, 2011

On Saturday, the Jennifer Dunn trailhead and the Beckler Peak Trail #1240 were officially dedicated by the Forest Service and is open for hikers!

Duckabush Fire Trail Closures

Sep 15, 2011

The Big Hump fire has closed The Brothers Wilderness north of The Brothers mountain, closing the Duckabush and Mount Jupiter trails. Lena Lake, in the south part of the wilderness area, remains open to hikers.

Midnight Deadline for Cape Horn Match

Sep 15, 2011

The National Forest Foundation will DOUBLE all gifts made to WTA's Cape Horn Trail project by midnight tonight, September 15. They will match your gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to our $13,000 goal.

Hike with Sure Footing

Sep 14, 2011

This summer several hikers have fallen to their deaths on the trail. In light of these tragedies, it is important to remind hikers to hike with sure footing. WTA provides some common sense tips to keep you safe.

Chance to Give Back to Trails on National Public Lands Day

Sep 14, 2011

Washington Trails Association is fielding a dozen trail work opportunities for hikers on National Public Lands Day. There is something for everyone on the schedule - a Volunteer Vacation, two Backcountry Response Teams, a weekend work party, a family work party, a celebration, and a half-dozen other one-day work parties spread across the state.

REI Grant Supports Volunteers

Sep 12, 2011

Trail maintenance volunteers recently received a big boost from REI in the form of a $20,000 grant for WTA's trail maintenance program.

Suiattle River Road Open House: September 15

Sep 09, 2011

The Forest Service is looking for public input about rebuilding the Suiattle River Road at an open house on the Darrington Ranger Station on Thursday, September 15.