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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New Trail Near Sammamish

Nov 09, 2011

During 2011, WTA volunteers helped build a new trail in the Evans Creek Preserve in Sammamish. The trail was officially dedicated on October 22 and offers families, dog walkers, birdwatchers and others a wonderful public space to connect with nature.

WTA Recognizes the Work of Volunteers

Nov 08, 2011

Volunteers crowded into the REI conference room Friday evening to hear stories of how much their hard work has impacted trails this year.

Use Caution When Hiking in the Mountains

Nov 04, 2011

With the first major snow storm of the season the complexion of hiking in the mountains has changed. Hikers need to be prepared and use common sense. WTA has several late fall hiking tips to share.

Farewell to Lace Thornberg

Nov 02, 2011

The arrival in mailboxes of the November-December Washington Trails magazine also marks the end of an era at WTA for its editor and our longtime colleague, Lace Thornberg. After nine years (and four job titles) she is heading to the Phillipines on a Fulbright scholarship.

You Be the Judge

Nov 01, 2011

You be the judge! From Nov. 1-8, you can vote for your favorite of ten Offbeat Outdoors semifinalists for WTA's Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. "Like" the one photo you'd like to see in the Jan-Feb 2012 Washington Trails magazine.

Fee Free Days for 2012

Oct 26, 2011

Fee-Free Days for 2012 have been announced for national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges and Bureau of Land Managment areas.

Roadless Rule Upheld By 10th Circuit

Oct 24, 2011

The Roadless Area Conservation Policy, a Clinton-era rule that set 58.5 million acres nationwide (more than 2 million in Washington) aside from road-building, was upheld by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday.

Gratitude for Craig McKibben

Oct 21, 2011

WTA's new executive director, Karen Daubert, writes about how her first two weeks on the job were made so much easier by the work that Craig McKibben did while filling in during the interim.

Randy King Named Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park

Oct 18, 2011

The new superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park is Randy King. Randy King has a 34-year history with the National Park Service, serving in six national parks and the Intermountain Regional Office. He's been Mount Rainier's deputy superintendent since 2003 and also served as the acting superintendent from 2009 to 2010. WTA looks forward to working with King in his new capacity at Mount Rainier.

The Last Best Weekend of Hiking

Oct 17, 2011

It was the last best weekend of hiking. Larches at their peak brilliancy. Red huckleberry bushes with a few remaining berries. Lots of sun, but not too much snow. Cool, but not yet frigid. Where did hikers go? And what did they have to say? A look at Trip Reports.

RTP Extended Until March 31

Oct 13, 2011

Congress has extended the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) through March 2012. RTP provides funds to states for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail-related facilities and is a major source of WTA's trail work funding.

White Chuck Road Reopens

Oct 12, 2011

The flooding of 2003 washed out roads and trails throughout the west side of Glacier Peak. Today, after nearly eight years, access to the the White Chuck River has been restored and the White Chuck Road (FR 23) reopens to vehicles until just beyond the turn off for Rat Trap Pass (FR 27).

Microsoft 5k Run/Walk to Benefit Trails

Oct 12, 2011

Microsoft employee? Sign up for the Microsoft Giving Campaign 5K Run/Walk on Friday, October 14 - and your participation will benefit WTA!

WTA Welcomes New Executive Director

Oct 10, 2011

Washington Trails Association is pleased to announce our new Executive Director - Karen Daubert.

Upper Icicle Road Reopens Saturday

Oct 06, 2011

The Upper Icicle Road near Leavenworth will reopen to motorized use on Saturday, October 8. This popular road has been closed beyond Ida Creek since May 2008 when a landslide and flooding took out a portion of the roadbed. WTA offers three fall hiking choices for autumn beauty.

Amgen Foundation Grant Supports Youth Volunteers

Sep 29, 2011

The Amgen Foundation has awarded the WTA youth program a $15,000 grant. Two employees also helped out by delivering ice cream to a group of high school volunteers in August.

WTA Celebrates National Public Lands Day

Sep 28, 2011

WTA helped celebrate our national public lands by taking 151 volunteers out on 13 work parties for this year's National Public Lands Day.

Pete Dewell Nears 1000 Days on the Trail

Sep 27, 2011

Of the 29,565 days (give or take a couple hundred) that he has been living, Pete Dewell has given 1000 of those days to trail work. On October 13th, at age 81, he will become the first WTA crew-leader to hit 1000 days of all-volunteer trail work with WTA.

2011 Top Trip Reporters

Sep 26, 2011

The top trip reporters of 2011, as well as a summary of this year's trip report statistics so far.

Volunteers Restore Kelly Butte Lookout

Sep 21, 2011

On September 11th, the Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest hosted a Kelly Butte Lookout re-opening dedication and volunteer appreciation ceremony. WTA member and assistant crew leader Bob Adler was recognized for his five years of work to restore the lookout. And Washington Trails Association was recognized for its assistance in building a series of rock steps on the trail to Kelly Butte. And

Secret Trail Unveiled

Sep 19, 2011

On Saturday, the Jennifer Dunn trailhead and the Beckler Peak Trail #1240 were officially dedicated by the Forest Service and is open for hikers!