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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Signs of Spring: Spring Cleaning Our Parks

Apr 12, 2011

It's officially spring and Earth Day is coming up. Check out the "spring cleaning" events happening this month at various spots along the Washington coast and in Washington State Parks and volunteer if you can.

Update on the Icicle Creek Road

Apr 11, 2011

New details are emerging about a recent landslide on the popular Icicle Creek Road (FR 76) southwest of Leavenworth. The landslide is just northwest of the Eightmile Campground.

Romano Launches 'Fifty for Fifty' Fundraiser

Apr 08, 2011

Craig Romano is raining to participate in the famous White River 50 Mile Trail Run on July 30th in celebration of his 50th birthday. By the end of the run, Craig hopes to have raised $10,000 through individual donations for his favorite trails group - Washington Trails Association.

Government Shutdown? The Impacts to Hikers

Apr 06, 2011

The threat of a federal government shutdown this Friday has us wondering: what will this means for hikers and trails on our public lands? Here are some answers.

Signs of Spring: Skunk Cabbage

Apr 05, 2011

Spring is here! And while the weather hasn't yet satiated our desire and need for Vitamin D, there are sure signs that spring is in bloom. To get us in the mood, all week we'll be featuring a new sign of spring in this space. Yesterday, we blogged about the first Volunteer Vacation in the Hoh Rainforest. Today special guest Kim Brown takes on a true harbinger of spring: skunk cabbage.

Signs of Spring: Volunteer Vacations

Apr 04, 2011

The first sign of spring at WTA is the beginning of our Volunteer Vacations. An intrepid (and eager) crew of 11 volunteers hiked into the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park on Saturday. They're working this week on a reroute of the trail about 4 miles in and tackling a couple of the big blowdowns a half-mile further up the trail.

Cape Horn Deadline Extended

Apr 04, 2011

The National Forest Foundation has extended their deadline to qualify for $13,000 in matching funds for the project. You now have until September 15, 2011, to support WTA's work at Cape Horn and receive a dollar-for-dollar match.

Landslide Closes Icicle Creek Road

Apr 03, 2011

A new landslide has hit the Icicle Creek Road outside of Leavenworth, and this one is before the turn-off to Eightmile Road, which leads to the trailhead for Colchuck Lake, Lake Stuart and one of two main routes into the Enchantment Lakes.

Senate Hearing Next Step in Passages of State Lands Bill

Mar 31, 2011

On March 30, 2011 the Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on SB 5622. The Committee seems interested in moving the bill forward, but that likely won't happen until a couple of amendments are considered.

New Columbia Gorge Guidebook Hits the Trail

Mar 30, 2011

Craig Romano's Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge (Mountaineers Books) has just been published, and the timing couldn't be more perfect: wildflowers are just appearing on trails all along the Washington side of the Gorge and waterfalls are raging on the Oregon side.

Highest charity rating for WTA (again!)

Mar 28, 2011

Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator, just awarded Washington Trails Association a fifth consecutive 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. That's their highest possible rating.

Skagit Land Trust Honors Three from WTA

Mar 25, 2011

WTA is finishing up work on Guemes Mountain, one of our ten signature projects for 2011. In appreciation for their hard work, the Skagit Land Trust is giving its annual Stewardship Award to three members of the WTA trail community - WTA field director Alan Carter Mortimer, WTA crew leader Arlen Bogaards and volunteer crew leader Pete Dewell.

Forest Rule Open House on Wednesday

Mar 21, 2011

Attend a forest rule open house on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Seattle's Sheraton Hotel to weigh in on NFMA regulation changes.

Boulder River trail might get longer

Mar 18, 2011

The Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest proposes building a new parking lot at milepost 3.0 on the French Creek Road to replace the current parking area at milepost 3.7. They would place the remaining 0.7 miles of road into storage and use it as an extension of the Boulder River Trail until new trail mileage could be constructed from the new parking lot, adding 1.4 miles to the current trail.

Save Our Parks Benefit Concert

Mar 16, 2011

Gas Going Up. Hop on a Bus.

Mar 15, 2011

We're looking for ideas on using public transit to reach hiking trails.

Hike our State Lands

Mar 10, 2011

As we await the next steps in the process, one thing that you can do is to familiarize yourself with all of the wonderful hiking and recreation opportunities that Washington's state lands have to offer.

Where Will You Be In May and June?

Mar 09, 2011

Discover Pass in Legislative Holding Pattern

Mar 05, 2011

Weathery Data and Websites

Mar 02, 2011

Weather data from the snowy past week, avalanche warnings and fun websites for armchair weather buffs.

Latest Issue of Washington Trails Hits Streets

Mar 01, 2011

Washington Trails Association is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2011. Our March+April issue of Washington Trails is a milestone in the publication's history.