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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Mount St. Helens Climbing Permits on Sale Feb. 1

Jan 31, 2013

Mount St. Helens climbing permits for the 2013 season, from April 1 to October 31, go on sale Friday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m. and are sold online on a first-come, first-served basis through the Mount St. Helens Institute.

WTA Unveils Backcountry Schedule 2013

Jan 25, 2013

Preview WTA's Volunteer Vacation, Youth Vacation and Back Country Response Team schedule for 2013. Sign-ups will open Feb 4, so review our schedule and decide which trips to sign up for this year!

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Expansion Bill Reintroduced

Jan 24, 2013

Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert have joined with co-sponsors Senator Cantwell and Congresswoman DelBene to reintroduce legislation aimed at protecting 20,000 acres adjacent to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and designating both the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic. This important legislation has cleared every legislative hurdle other than Senate passage.

Design a Logo for WTA and Win!

Jan 23, 2013

Washington Trails' trail maintenance 20th anniversary logo contest. Enter to win an REI gift card or Kelty Grand Mesa 2 backpacking tent!

Olympics Spotlight: Hike, New Film, Citizen Science Slideshow

Jan 18, 2013

Hike in the Olympics this winter or virtually explore it with a new documentary featuring some spectacular backcountry scenery of the area or an audio slideshow from KUOW reporter Ashley Ahern documenting the start of a months-long pine martin study manned by volunteer hikers.

2013 State Legislative Session Kicks Off

Jan 16, 2013

The 2013 state legislative session opened in Olympia Monday, and WTA is already working on advocating for issues that are important to hikers, including funding to keep Washington State Parks open, safe and maintained.

Enchantments Lottery Dates, Permit Process for 2013

Jan 15, 2013

If you want to camp in the Enchantments Basin this summer, you'll need to apply for a permit in two basic steps. First you apply between February 15 and March 2. If you win a permit in the lottery, then you need to confirm and pay for it between March 6 and March 31.

Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Winners Revealed

Jan 15, 2013

Get inspired by the slideshow of the winners of WTA's 2012 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. Thanks to everyone who entered a photo this year. Washington state looks stunning through your lenses.

Mount Rainier's Camp Muir to Get a Makeover

Jan 14, 2013

Proposed updates to Camp Muir in Mount Rainier National Park have been given the go-ahead. Among the changes are a number of shelter upgrades and new toilets.

WTA Is Hiring Seasonal Field Staff

Jan 10, 2013

Do you love working outdoors with great people? Do you have a passion for hiking trails and teaching others how to maintain them? Do you dream about spending the summer in Washington's wild places? Are you looking for seasonal employment?

Thank YOU!

Jan 02, 2013

Thank you for helping us surpass our year-end goal. Individual members and donors like you power more than half of our work each year. Your generosity gives WTA a great start to 2013 as we gear up for Hiker Lobby Day on Feb. 7, map out which trails need our volunteer crews most in the months ahead, and continue to improve the hiking resources at wta.org.

Matching Deadline: Midnight Sunday

Dec 29, 2012

Looking for a final hiking challenge of 2012? Here's one that doesn't even require rain gear or snowshoes. Make a gift to Washington Trails Association by midnight Sunday, December 30 -- and every dollar you give online will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000. That's right, your gift will be DOUBLED for trails thanks to a group of generous donors.

Website Back Up; Ready for Hikers!

Dec 28, 2012

The WTA website is back online. Everything is working properly again and Google has removed the warning from the website.

Trip Reports, Hiking Guide currently down

Dec 28, 2012

Mount Rainier: Open for Winter Play

Dec 27, 2012

Want to play in some powder? Look no further than Mount Rainier National Park, where you can ski, snowshoe, sled and camp in the deep and fluffy snow.

Highest Charity Rating for WTA (Again!)

Dec 21, 2012

Charity Navigator, the nation's leading charity evaluator, released a new rating for Washington Trails Association yesterday. What did we earn? A 4-star rating—again! That's their highest possible rating. WTA earns top marks for sound fiscal management and for our commitment to accountability and transparency.

By the Numbers: Trails Worked, Miles Hiked and More

Dec 19, 2012

Explore WTA's work in 2012 by the numbers, and help us reach our goal to accomplish even more next year.

Senators Murray and Cantwell Introduce Green Mountain Lookout Legislation

Dec 19, 2012

On December 14, Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate that would protect the Green Mountain Lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Hobbit Hikes: Washington's Middle-earth

Dec 13, 2012

When you come out of the movie theater after seeing The Hobbit, which opens in theaters at midnight tonight, you may have the urge to go on an epic adventure of your very own. Let WTA help you bring out your inner Bilbo Baggins with a few seasonal hikes that bring the book and movie to life.

Former Gov. Dan Evans Talks Trails with WTA

Dec 13, 2012

This week, former Governor and Senator Dan Evans, a lifelong hiker who was instrumental in the creation of Alpine Lakes Wilderness and North Cascades National Park—dropped into Washington Trails Association offices to spend an hour talking trails and telling stories with the staff.

Protect Public Lands, Preserve Washington's Economy

Dec 10, 2012

A new report from Headwaters Economics focuses on the critical role that the West's public lands base plays in supporting Washington's economy. The report provides new evidence that outdoor recreation opportunities play an important role in job growth. In short, Washington's incredible recreation opportunities make it a great place to live and work.