WTA Loves Local Trails (2023)

We love local trails here at WTA. They allow us to get outdoors without a lengthy drive (and sometimes without a car at all) and provide that bit of nature when we need it most. In February of 2023, we encouraged hikers to get outdoors and enjoy a trail close to home for our #LoveLocalTrails giveaway. To be eligible, hikers just needed to hike a trail close to home, then write a trip report. The entries we received reminded us just how incredible these places are across the state. Here are a few of our favorite entries from the month of February, 2023, written by hikers like you.

Riverside State Park

Riverside State Park offers some beautiful winter landscapes to take in. Photo by TrailKat.

This entry by trip reporter TrailKat from Spokane's Riverside State Park highlighted why having access to beautiful trails within city limits is so important. The pictures alone do this report justice, but we loved seeing that they snuck this hike in after work. That’s one of the benefits of a trail next door!

Japanese Gulch

Lovely winter greenery in Japanese Gulch. Photo by Rachel Wendling.

• Trail Next Door
• WTA is working hard to make trails more accessible close to home. Check out what we're focused on in our Trail Next Door campaign.

This entry from Japanese Gulch is actually from a former WTA staffer, Rachel Wendling! It was great to see this beautiful Mukilteo park in the mix and the nice descriptions of the loops you can explore there. One of the great aspects of local parks is they often provide various routes to check out, making repeat visits just as interesting as the first. 

Whatcom Falls Park

The stunning waterfall at Whatcom Falls Park is just one of the amazing features of trails close to home. Photo by ejain.

Trip reporter ejain wowed us with his photos from Whatcom Falls Park on the edge of Bellingham. It’s incredible to think we have access to this much greenery, not to mention the spectacular falls with such a short trip from city centers. And Whatcome Falls Park isn’t the only one. There are tons of amazing urban parks and trails across the state that offer big views and stunning landscapes. 

Priest Point

Big views can be found at parks close to home! Photo by lulupella.

Trip reporter lulupella brought us this great entry from Priest Point in Olympia. Like many parks in Western Washington, beach access is one part of what makes these local trails so enjoyable to visit. But Priest Point offers a wide variety of trails to wander, and along with views of the Olympics it was neat to see a mention of the wildlife in their trip report!

Have you been on a walk in your local park lately? We’d love to hear about your outing! Leaving a trip report is a great way to share the latest information on conditions as well as keep track of your adventures. We’d love to see your reports, and so would the hiking community!