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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Choosing the Right Hiking Boots for Your Kids
Mar 31, 2014
Selecting kids’ hiking gear is as much about fit and performance as it is matching their personality. We hit the trail with three little ones to hand-pick a selection of kids’ hiking boots: the Salomon XA Pro 2 K trail runners, Lowa Kody GTX Mid Kids and the Vasque Breeze 2.0 WP boots.
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Nature on Trail: Western Tanager, Mule Deer, Western Hemlock
Mar 31, 2014
Northwest forests are teeming with life -- much of which may go overlooked or unseen. On your next hike, look out for the western tanager songbird, the big ears of the mule deer and Washington's official tree, the western hemlock.
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Officials: Please Steer Clear of Mountain Loop
Mar 27, 2014
As response efforts at the devastating mudslide on Highway 530 continue, Snohomish County and U.S. Forest Service officials are urging people to stay clear of the area.
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Apply for a Mount Rainier Wilderness Permit by April 1
Mar 26, 2014
Wilderness backpacking in Mount Rainier National Park or hiking the Wonderland Trail always requires planning ahead. But with the deadline fast approaching and application numbers way above normal, here are some tips to help you apply for your wilderness permit in the next few days.
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Help Olympic National Park Plan for Wilderness Management
Mar 26, 2014
Learn about Olympic National Park draft plans for managing the park’s wilderness on everything from trails to bear canisters to self-registration stations. Then, find out how to weigh in.
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Hacking your Oatmeal
Mar 19, 2014
Fresh takes on a backpacking staple. Get some ideas and find ways to add an energy-boost to your next trail menu.
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Enchanted Valley Chalet Threatened by East Fork Quinault River
Mar 19, 2014
A change in the river's course has put the iconic 80-year-old structure's future into question.
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2014 Legislative Session: How Trails Fared
Mar 14, 2014
How did trails and recreation fare in the state legislature? The short, 60-day legislative session ended in Olympia late last night with a few important bills that impact hikers making it across the finish line just in time. Here’s a brief look at some of those bills that are currently awaiting Governor Inslee’s signature to become law.
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WTA Appointed to Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee
Mar 13, 2014
WTA is part of a twenty-member advisory group that has been appointed to help Washington State departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife develop a management plan for the Teanaway Community Forest, located in the Teanaway River valley of Kittitas County.
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Backcountry Havens: 5 BCRTs that Need Your Help
Mar 11, 2014
Below are listed five 2014 BCRT locations that could use a few more enthusiastic crew members.
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End of an Era: Olympic Big Cedar Tree Splits in Two
Mar 10, 2014
Over the weekend, an Olympic giant, one of the largest western red cedars in the world, split during a storm. While the news feels like a loss, the fallen segment will have an important future nourishing the unique ecosystem of the rainforest floor.
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Slideshow: Bonding and Building Trails in a New Community
Mar 06, 2014
With help from WTA's gear lending library and mini-grants, a group of teens with the Coalition of Refugees from Burma gave back to Washington's trails and got to know each other better as they built a new section of trail on Cougar Mountain.
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Ready-Made Vacations: 5 Backcountry Trails That Need Your Help
Feb 26, 2014
If you're looking for a rewarding, challenging and fun vacation this summer and you love camping, take a look at these five WTA volunteer vacations. These are week-long work parties that connect hikers with much-needed trail maintenance projects in beautiful locations throughout Washington.
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Newest 'Orange Hats' Lend a Helping Hand on Trail
Feb 21, 2014
Meet the five new assistant crew leaders, or 'orange hats,' who you might meet on a volunteer work party this summer.
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Governor Inslee Makes Outdoor Recreation a Priority
Feb 20, 2014
“Outdoor recreation is an underappreciated part of our economy,” said Governor Inslee yesterday. Inslee has created a blue ribbon task force to look at ways to support the outdoor recreation industry and increase funding for recreation areas. A special focus will be placed on getting people, especially youth and families, engaged in outdoor activities.
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Winter Adventures: A Weekend in Photos
Feb 19, 2014
From the dramatic winter waves of the Pacific to snow-dusted oaks in the canyons of Central Washington, find fresh ideas for getting outdoors by following in the footsteps of trip reporters who faithfully reported their adventures over President's day weekend.
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We Wrote You a Valentine's Poem
Feb 13, 2014
It may be cheesy, but we don't care. The truth is that we love you and Washington's trails. Hikers, trail runners, volunteers, members and supporters: you're the heart and soul of this community.
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Obama Administration Supports Green Mountain Lookout
Feb 12, 2014
The Obama Administration announced its support to for the legislation to preserve the Green Mountain Lookout in Glacier Peak Wilderness, but the fate of the lookout remains unclear.
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Spread the Word: Scholarships for Teens on Trail
Feb 03, 2014
Every teen should have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors, which is why WTA offers scholarships for teens 14-18 to participate in our Youth Volunteer Vacation trips, a week of camping and participation on a team-oriented trail crew.
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Video: Who Walks On Trail When You're Not There?
Jan 31, 2014
Who travels on trails when you're not there? Our neighbors to the north stitched together four months of (delightful) footage from a remote camera focused on a closed trail in Waterton Lakes National Park (north of Glacier National Park).
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Nature on Trail: Snowy Owl, Elk, Western Redcedar
Jan 29, 2014
Northwest forests are teeming with life -- much of which may go overlooked or unseen. On your next hike, look out for the little things and discover something new on your favorite trails.
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