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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Federal Judge Orders Removal Of Green Mountain Lookout

Mar 29, 2012

On March 27, Federal District Judge John Coughenor ordered that the recently restored Green Mountain Lookout be removed.

Hard Hats Off to the Korean Mountaineers

Mar 28, 2012

Hard hats off to the Korean Mountaineers! At a recent work party, seven members of the group received their green hard hats, which are given to volunteers upon their fifth day of work with WTA. No one at WTA can remember a time when so many green hats were presented at a single work party.

WTA Volunteer Vacation Sets Sail

Mar 26, 2012

Washington Trails Association's first Volunteer Vacation of the 2012 season set sail on Saturday for a week on Vendovi Island in the San Juans. It's the first of 26 week-long volunteer trips planned for this year.

Hiking the Curiosity Trail

Mar 22, 2012

A two-part feature, Hiking the Curiosity Trail, is the result of a fascination with the weird and the wacky, as seen from hiking trails in Washington. From petrified trees to a tiny gnome city, we have scoured the state for 16 hikes that showcase the unusual.

Suiattle Road Environmental Assessment Released

Mar 20, 2012

Landslides in 2003 and 2006 have closed 11 miles of the Suiattle River Road (FR 26) to hikers and campers wishing to access the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Now more than 8 years after the road was damaged, an Environmental Assessment has been published, kicking off a 30-day public comment period.

Support Trails when you Shop at REI.com

Mar 20, 2012

When you use a special REI.com link, WTA earns a percentage of your total purchase that we'll put to great use in our trail programs, from maintaining wilderness trails to saving state lands from closing.

New Faces at WTA

Mar 14, 2012

Washington Trails Association welcomes three new staff members to our Seattle office. Alexa Lindauer, Julie Cassata and Lisa Unsoeld-Chang have each joined us in the past month.

A Crossroads for State Parks

Mar 13, 2012

Stacy Czebotar, a Washington State Park ranger for more than six years, had to turn in her badge, say goodbye to her co-workers and let go of a park she loved. She was laid off in late December along with more than 80 others. Find out what you can do to help increase funding for our state parks.

Kid-Friendly Hiking Info at the Click of a Button

Mar 12, 2012

Mount Rainier Backcountry Application Process Begins March 15

Mar 07, 2012

Mount Rainier National Park will be taking applications for backcounty travel March 15-April 1, 2012. This is the best opportunity to select premiere backcountry campsites for the summer and a must for anyone planning to circuit the Wonderland Trail.

Senate Passes Discover Pass Transferability Bill

Mar 06, 2012

Today, the state Senate passed a striking amendment that made changes to the House-passed Discover Pass legislation - inching the transferability bill closer to final passage.

WTA in the Other Washington

Mar 05, 2012

WTA Executive Director Karen Daubert and board member Jeff Chapman visited Washington's congressional delegation in Washington, DC last week, stressing the importance of the Recreation Trails Program and park and forest funding.

Thank You, Congressman Norm Dicks

Mar 02, 2012

The True Essentials for Hiking with Kids

Mar 01, 2012

Pack the Ten Essentials, plus a few more, to ensure your next hike with kids is a winner.

WTA Completes Grand Ridge Boardwalk

Feb 29, 2012

After two years of work, WTA has completed a 600-ft boardwalk at Grand Ridge.

Discover Pass Bill Passes House

Feb 28, 2012

The Discover Pass bill that would allow for transferability between two vehicles, HB 2372, has passed the state House of Representatives.

Repairs to Index-Galena Road Delayed

Feb 28, 2012

Repairs to Snohomish County's Index-Galena Road have been put on hold while the county and Federal Highway Administration perform a full Environmental Assessment on the remainder of the the project.

WTA Meeting Elected Officials in Washington, DC this Week

Feb 27, 2012

WTA's Executive Director, Karen Daubert, and board member, Jeff Chapman are in Washington, DC meeting with our state's elected officials this week advocating on behalf of the Recreation Trails Program, which helps fund critical trail maintenance projects in Washington and other states.

Late Winter Hiking: Following a Less-Traveled Path

Feb 23, 2012

Hikers are exploring less-traveled front-country parks this winter. These are parks managed by city and county governments - oases within or at the edges of our urban areas. Learn about where they've been and how you can find a new park near you.

Keep Your Feet Fresh

Feb 17, 2012

the washington trails gear team gives their reviews on their favorite hiking socks, including styles from teko, icebreaker, smartwool, thorlo, bridgedale and goodhew.

Act Now To Help Protect Trails!

Feb 15, 2012

The Recreation Trails Program (RTP) - the grant program in the federal transportation funding bill that provides essential support for trail maintenance all over Washington state - is in jeopardy and we need you to call your senators to support an amendment that would restore RTP to the Senate bill (MAP-21).