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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Shooting the Land of Landscapes
Sep 09, 2013
Tips on how to capture Washington's stunning landscapes, whether you’re shooting with an iPhone or an expensive DSLR. The key: remember the “F” words.
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Mudslides Close Hwy 20 (N. Cascades Hwy) and SR 410
Sep 06, 2013
For the second time this summer, heavy rains caused mudslides that closed the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). Mudslides also closed sections of the SR 410 west of Naches and Icicle Road outside of Leavenworth.
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Fix Your Favorite Trail on National Public Lands Day
Sep 04, 2013
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 28, and help keep Washington's trails hikable and safe.
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Join the Party to Celebrate 20 Years of Trail Work!
Sep 04, 2013
Sept. 14 marks twenty years of WTA's work maintaining, creating, and preserving trails all over our beautiful state, and we want to celebrate with you! Join us at one of our anniversary trail work parties on Sept. 14 to mark this milestone in WTA's history. See you at the trailhead!
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Suiattle River Rd. to Close to Foot, Bike Traffic for Repairs
Aug 29, 2013
The Suiattle River Road will be closed to all human visitation from milepost 11.6 to the end between September 6 and October 10 for long awaited repairs.
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The Buzz on a Bumper Crop of Yellow Jackets
Aug 29, 2013
Why there have been so many wasps this year, the latest trails to watch out for wasps, and tips to keep from getting stung.
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Hiker Destinations from August's Hike-a-Thon
Aug 29, 2013
Check out a slideshow of Hike-a-Thoners in action this August, and see where they've been hiking. You might just find your Labor Day hike in the list.
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How to Poop in the Woods
Aug 21, 2013
Just because you’re miles away from the modern conveniences of indoor plumbing does not mean that doing your duty has to be a chore. Learn the right way to go to the bathroom in the woods. When do you need to pack it out? When and where should you bury your business following Leave No Trace principles?
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Help Hikers Reach Their Goals
Aug 21, 2013
Hike-a-Thoners have already logged more than 2,525 hiking miles in 21 days of hiking, and they are making each mike count for trails with sponsorship dollars. With still a full week to go, these hikers need your help to reach their fundraising goals.
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Cascade River Road and North Cascades Hwy Open
Aug 21, 2013
The Cascade River Road is now open to the Cascade Pass trailhead. The North Cascades Highway also reopened this week, after crews cleared mudslides and repaired damage from mudslides.
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Backpacking with Baby: 15 Days 'Round Rainier
Aug 20, 2013
One family spends 15 days and 14 nights on the Wonderland Trail -- with a 9-month-old baby. For families who are wondering if they should backpack with baby, WTA trip reporter MikeOnAHike answers four of the most common questions they get along the trail. Check them out, and get inspired by their adventure.
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Get Away with WTA this Labor Day Weekend
Aug 20, 2013
Everyone loves three day weekends. That's the problem - everyone gets that extra day and suddenly the solitude and quiet you were so looking forward to is nowhere to be found. What to do? How to escape the crowds? Join us on a Backcountry Response Team trip in the beautiful, secluded, 14,000 acre Salmo-Priest Wilderness, the only wilderness in the northeast part of Washington.
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Break Out the S'mores, North Cascades Roads Update
Aug 16, 2013
The campfire ban on state lands is lifted west of the crest, but you'll have to celebrate National S'mores Day over a backpacking stove in most of the state. A section of the North Cascades Highway (Hwy 20) remains closed as crews work to clear massive mudslides. Cascade River Road closed to cars, open to foot traffic.
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Keep Hiking News from Getting Lost in Your New Gmail Inbox
Aug 15, 2013
If you use Gmail, the new inbox tabs may mean you're missing hiking and volunteering information from WTA. If your love of hiking and the outdoors is primary to your life, then take these two simple steps to make it primary to your Gmail inbox, too.
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Great Trails for Volunteering and Camping with WTA
Aug 14, 2013
Looking for a way to spend one of your last summer weekends? Gather some close friends or family and join WTA on an overnight trip! Volunteering on weekend work parties is a great way to give back to trails, have a fun camping experience and get to know other people who love being outdoors, all at the same time.
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Mudslides Close Two Major North Cascades Roads
Aug 12, 2013
Thunderstorms with intense rains caused wash-outs of two very popular roads this past weekend in North Cascades National Park. Highway 20, the major east-west route through the park, is closed for further notice due to a series of at least eight mudslides between mileposts 150 and 155. Heavy rains also caused the Cascade River Road to wash out at milepost 18, affecting the popular Cascade Pass trailhead.
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Spotlight on the Suiattle, Action on Trail Access
Aug 09, 2013
As repairs to the Suiattle River Road slowly begin to approach reality, Ron Judd, a staff writer for The Seattle Times, has written thoughtful article in examining the challenges that hikers are facing in accessing some of the wild places hikers love. Find out how you can get involved in access issues.
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BINGO! A Hike-a-Thoner Game Gives Back
Aug 09, 2013
Hike-a-Thoner Holly Weiler is the first hiking BINGO winner in this year's Hike-a-Thon. Check out the five hikes in Eastern Washington that she hiked to win, or sign up to make your bid for more cool prizes in one of Hike-a-Thon's fun prize categories.
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Fire Closes Trails in Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Aug 07, 2013
Two trails in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness have closed due to a small, lightning-caused fire that started over the weekend. A burn ban on state lands and other campfire restrictions remain in place across the state to prevent new fires from starting.
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People (and Especially Hikers) Are Awesome
Aug 05, 2013
Here at Washington Trails Association, we see a generosity of spirit in hikers and volunteers every single day. We're constantly blown away by hikers' highly developed sense of kindness, adventure and fun. So, we're sharing four little stories that prove, once again, that people are awesome.
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Governor's Proclamation: August 3 is Washington Trails Day
Aug 01, 2013
Today, Governor Jay Inslee declared this coming Saturday, August 3 as Washington Trails Day. The inaugural Washington Trails Day is a day for Washington to get out and hike!
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