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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The 2021 State Legislative Session was Full of Wins for Trails
Apr 28, 2021
From bringing advocates together for our digital Hiker Rally to asking you to help get budgets over the line, we’ve been excited to share the power of advocates during this year's legislative session. This weekend, the state Legislature wrapped up its 2021 session and we're excited to report that outdoor recreation saw wonderful support from lawmakers.
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Ape Cave Near Mount St. Helens to Reopen in May, Reservations Now Required
Apr 27, 2021
The popular Ape Cave Interpretive Site will reopen to the public in mid-May, after being closed since spring 2020. When it re-opens, visitors will need to have a reservation for their visits. Reservations will open on Thursday, April 29.
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5 Ways WTA Makes Your Hike Possible
Apr 26, 2021
From securing trail funding and digging in the dirt to providing hike information and promoting hiker education, here are a few of the ways that WTA helps Washington hikers get out on trail.
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Hiker Headlines: 3 Million Trees, Sites Reopening, Trip Sign-Up, Burn Bans
Apr 22, 2021
Happy Earth Day! WTA previews a new trail in North Highline as King County announces its new 3 Million Tree initiative. A few notable recreation sites will be reopening this week. Registration for the second round of WTA’s multiday trips open tomorrow. Extended burn bans are a reminder to check fire regulations before heading out camping. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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24 Ideas for Moving More and Trying New Things
Apr 20, 2021
Nicole Tsong's new book, “24 Ways to Move More,” encourages readers to try something new. We talked with her about her new book as well as some of her tips on how to give your body the movement it craves.
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Centering Community Helped Build a Strong Urban Trail System in Bellingham
Apr 19, 2021
Fourteen years of work by WTA and our partners have transformed an urban trail system in Bellingham.
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WTA Helps Build Access to Green Space with New Trail in King County
Apr 16, 2021
Over the last year, WTA has been working with King County Parks to plan for the opening of a new forested park in unincorporated North Highline in Seattle. Last month, WTA’s Leadership & Inclusion Crew spent two days at the new park working on trail layout and design. When it's complete, the trail will provide the community access to a green space.
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Hiker Headlines: National Park Week, Avalanche Aware, Dog Mountain, Burn Bans, Poetry and Conservation
Apr 15, 2021
National Park Week starts this weekend. Warm spring weather has created increased avalanche risk in the mountains. Permits to hike Dog Mountain will be required starting next week. Burn bans are in place for much of Eastern Washington.
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Learning and Growing on WTA's Volunteer Vacations
Apr 14, 2021
We caught up with volunteers from years past to see how the skills they gained have helped them with new adventures.
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Hiker Headlines: Native Plant Month, Funding Roads, Good Fire, Middle Fork, Olympics Art
Apr 08, 2021
April is Native Plant Month. Prescribed burns are scheduled in several forests this spring. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail is closed to hikers while construction is underway. Art installations in Olympic National Park celebrate Roosevelt elk and conservation.
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Early Budget Proposals in Olympia Show Promising Support for Trails
Apr 07, 2021
With only a few weeks left before state lawmakers finalize budgets, we break down how things are looking for trails and outdoor recreation. See where things stand and take action.
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Volunteer Profile: Gabrielle Matheison
Apr 06, 2021
Volunteers are key for WTA, and we appreciate however people engage with WTA. Some folks like to stick to trail work, some stick to trip reports, some do both. While volunteering has been complicated by the pandemic, Gabrielle Matheisen, a trip reporter and trail crew volunteer, made it work.
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Hiker Headlines: Lingering Snow, Dog Mountain, Youth Trail Work, Trail Connections
Apr 01, 2021
Even though it’s officially spring, hikers should still plan for winter conditions on trail. Dog Mountain permits are now available online. The priority period for Youth Volunteer Vacation applications is now open. Libraries across the state are lending Discover Passes. In Bellevue, an important trail segment has been completed. And a few other news stories good for a laugh.
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WTA To Add Golf Courses to Hiking Guide
Apr 01, 2021
New features to add vital conditions and trip report information helping hikers seeking a series of tiny holes in the ground.
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Thank You, WTA, From a Hiker
Mar 31, 2021
Binny Marwaha is a WTA member and an avid hiker and backpacker. We recently caught up with her to learn a bit about why she chooses to support WTA, and the impact of time outdoors. Here is a snippet of our conversation with her.
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Hiker Headlines: Funding, National Park Projects, Pro-Crew, Sno-Park Fee Increase
Mar 25, 2021
It’s March 25. Money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund will go to important conservation projects in Washington. North Cascades National Park announced plans to reroute a section of Stehekin Road, and in Olympic National Park a new entrance station will improve traffic flow. WTA is hiring for our first paid, pro trail-work crew. State Parks announced that Sno-Park fees will increase starting next winter. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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'You Belong' Washington-Based Film Centers the Stories of Women of Color
Mar 25, 2021
A new film seeks to build community in the outdoors for women of color — and help reshape the narrative of who belongs in outdoor spaces.
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UW's Nature and Health Group Talks Time Outside
Mar 22, 2021
What researchers are discovering about how and why being outside is so good for us.
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Hiker Headlines: State Parks Re-open, Advocacy Updates, Trail Closed, Maritime Washington
Mar 18, 2021
With two free days coming up for state parks, they’ve announced the re-opening of many facilities. Deb Haaland was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Interior. WTA’s biannual Hiker Rally was a success. Most of the Spruce Railroad Trail will be temporarily closed. The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is looking for public input. And, you could name WSDOT’s next snowplow. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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5 Big Take-Aways from WTA's First Virtual Hiker Rally
Mar 17, 2021
2021 brought a new twist to our biannual Hiker Rally Day — like many other events have been for the last year, it was all-virtual. WTA staff learned a lot about what it takes to move to an online format. But more importantly, we were inspired, as always, by our hiker advocates who showed up to speak out for our trails and public lands.
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Five Land Managers Get Real on the Pandemic and Public Lands
Mar 16, 2021
A year after COVID-19 pandemic began to change our lives in innumerable ways, including in how we get outside, WTA sat down with our land manager partners to talk about the last year. We discussed the opportunities and challenges from the pandemic and the key role that public lands played in people’s mental and physical health. We also talked about the impacts of unprecedented visitors to public lands when agencies were underfunded and trying to keep their staff safe during a public-health crisis. Everyone we talked to was grateful that public lands could be there for people who desperately need exercise, escape and restoration. Our partners also have real concerns for the long-term management of public lands — and they hope to help everyone see how they can ensure that these special spaces so they will be there for generations to come.
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