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: New E-Bike Rules, Enchantments Parking Changes, Fire Control

Sep 05, 2019

A new federal policy changes the rules regarding e-bikes on trails. Parking is no longer allowed along Eightmile Road. Upcoming road closures may mean re-routing your adventure. And planned fires may have some hikers smelling smoke.

Blanca Lake: Just One Place WTA is Working to Save Iconic Trails

Sep 04, 2019

Our Trails Rebooted campaign is working to protect some of the most popular and iconic trails all across the state.

Hiker Headlines: Wildfires, Columbia Gorge Trails, Hunting & Hiking

Aug 29, 2019

It’s wildfire season...isn’t it? After the burn comes the build: trails are reopening in the Columbia River Gorge. And hunting season is soon to be in full swing in the Pacific Northwest.

Hiker Headlines: Outdoor Voices Wanted, Parking Passes Required, and a Fee-Free Day

Aug 22, 2019

Help shape the future of Washington’s state parks. Here's a quick refresher on passes for visiting public lands. And, if you want to visit a state park or national park but don't have a pass, this Sunday is your day. Finally, High Rock lookout is getting some restoration love.

Nation's Most Important Environmental Law at Risk

Aug 20, 2019

Big changes are being proposed to the country’s first major environmental law — the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. Some of the changes would drastically roll back public comment periods, eliminating the voices of hikers like you in proposals that impact our public lands, and the activities we enjoy on them.

Hiker Headlines: New Boss for Forests, Ellinor Closes, Trails Get Rebooted

Aug 15, 2019

There’s a new Deputy Regional Forester in town, and she’s stoked to supervise. Upcoming trail and road closures mean opportunities for new hiking discoveries. And thanks to our hiking community, trails are successfully getting rebooted.

Meeting Hikers' Needs: 5 Wins for Trails

Aug 13, 2019

We recently asked the hiking community which trails needed the attention of our Trails Rebooted campaign. Here are five trails you mentioned and what WTA is doing to improve the hiking experience on them.

Cooking, Community and Camping: Recipes to Fuel Outdoor Adventures

Aug 13, 2019

A classically-trained chef shares his love of food, and recipes perfect for your next on-trail adventure.

Hiker Headlines: Meteor Showers, Parks Funding, North Cascades Grizzlies

Aug 09, 2019

The Perseids return this weekend. King County voters approved their parks funding. Got opinions on grizzlies? North Cascades wants to hear. And there's a new wilderness designation in Colville.

Level Up Your Workout: Bike to Your Next Hike

Aug 06, 2019

These human-powered outings are creative ways to get outside, sometimes involving multiple modes of transportation and a lot of time dedicated to travel.

Seeking Stars: Where to Watch the Upcoming Perseid Meteor Shower

Aug 06, 2019

The annual Perseids meteor shower will start peaking soon, sending streaks of fireballs through the night skies and awing hikers near and far.

A Day of Action: Hikers Raise Their Voices on Washington Trails Day

Aug 06, 2019

This Washington Trails Day, thousands of hikers raised their voices for funding on this day of action, hiking and celebrating.

Tips to Inspire Kids to be Explorers like Dora

Aug 01, 2019

Swiper, YES swiping! Swipe these tips for inspiring young explorers like Dora the Explorer herself. You never know what’s in store-a when you hike like Dora!

Hiker Headlines: Spokane Parks Need Funding, Cape Horn Reopens, Hunting Season Begins

Aug 01, 2019

Spokane County Parks & Rec is seeking input from hikers on how to allocate funding for 2020. Cape Horn Loop in the Columbia River Gorge has reopened. And hunting season in Washington officially starts today.

A Year in the Life of a WTA Superstar

Jul 31, 2019

Jaime Weber, a WTA member and volunteer, looks forward to the start of her personal trail work season. She saves her summers for hiking, and turns to trail work as fall shifts to winter. But that doesn’t mean she sits on her laurels during her trail-maintenance off-months.

Hiker Headlines: Latina Trail Crew Works at Rainier, Libraries Help Hikers, Road Conditions

Jul 25, 2019

It’s Thursday, July 25. An all Latina crew got outside to give Rainier trails some much needed love. Look to your local library or your next hiking adventure. And WTA needs your help reporting on road conditions!

Hiker Headlines: Parks Funding, Getting Kids Outside, Public Lands Questions

Jul 18, 2019

Parks in King County need your help with vital funding. More kids are getting outside thanks to a boost from Washington grants. Trailhead Direct, a WTA partner project, is inspiring transit-to-trail systems in other states. New federal land policies are in flux. And Olympics bridges will close for inspection.

Roads, Trails & Red Tape: 5 Federal Public Land Bills Hikers Should Care About

Jul 18, 2019

With August recess approaching, we give you a 5-minute digest of a number of federal bills impacting national public lands we are tracking as they move through Congress.

Love King County Parks? Vote Yes on Prop. 1

Jul 15, 2019

Please join WTA and our local partners in supporting King County Proposition 1, the County Parks Levy. Take the pledge to vote yes on the Aug. 6 ballot.

Hiker Headlines: Leave No Trace in the Enchantments, Outdoor Funding, Fighting Weeds

Jul 11, 2019

The Enchantments are getting some LNT Hot Spot love. Washington state awarded grants across the state to fund outdoor projects. And, toxic weeds in King County? There’s an app for that.

A Weekend in Trip Reports: 7 Backpacking Trips From Around the State

Jul 09, 2019

Members of the WTA community made the most of the holiday weekend, choosing to sleep outside by way of celebrating the unofficial start of summer. By the looks of things, snow is rapidly melting out at some higher elevations, allowing for stunning wildflower displays, mountain vistas and plenty of photo ops.