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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Senate Hearing Next Step in Passages of State Lands Bill

Mar 31, 2011

On March 30, 2011 the Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on SB 5622. The Committee seems interested in moving the bill forward, but that likely won't happen until a couple of amendments are considered.

New Columbia Gorge Guidebook Hits the Trail

Mar 30, 2011

Craig Romano's Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge (Mountaineers Books) has just been published, and the timing couldn't be more perfect: wildflowers are just appearing on trails all along the Washington side of the Gorge and waterfalls are raging on the Oregon side.

Highest charity rating for WTA (again!)

Mar 28, 2011

Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator, just awarded Washington Trails Association a fifth consecutive 4-star rating for sound fiscal management. That's their highest possible rating.

Skagit Land Trust Honors Three from WTA

Mar 25, 2011

WTA is finishing up work on Guemes Mountain, one of our ten signature projects for 2011. In appreciation for their hard work, the Skagit Land Trust is giving its annual Stewardship Award to three members of the WTA trail community - WTA field director Alan Carter Mortimer, WTA crew leader Arlen Bogaards and volunteer crew leader Pete Dewell.

Forest Rule Open House on Wednesday

Mar 21, 2011

Attend a forest rule open house on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Seattle's Sheraton Hotel to weigh in on NFMA regulation changes.

Boulder River trail might get longer

Mar 18, 2011

The Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest proposes building a new parking lot at milepost 3.0 on the French Creek Road to replace the current parking area at milepost 3.7. They would place the remaining 0.7 miles of road into storage and use it as an extension of the Boulder River Trail until new trail mileage could be constructed from the new parking lot, adding 1.4 miles to the current trail.

Save Our Parks Benefit Concert

Mar 16, 2011

Gas Going Up. Hop on a Bus.

Mar 15, 2011

We're looking for ideas on using public transit to reach hiking trails.

Hike our State Lands

Mar 10, 2011

As we await the next steps in the process, one thing that you can do is to familiarize yourself with all of the wonderful hiking and recreation opportunities that Washington's state lands have to offer.

Where Will You Be In May and June?

Mar 09, 2011

Discover Pass in Legislative Holding Pattern

Mar 05, 2011

Weathery Data and Websites

Mar 02, 2011

Weather data from the snowy past week, avalanche warnings and fun websites for armchair weather buffs.

Latest Issue of Washington Trails Hits Streets

Mar 01, 2011

Washington Trails Association is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2011. Our March+April issue of Washington Trails is a milestone in the publication's history.

Avalanche Conditions Severe this Weekend

Feb 26, 2011

Obama's Budget: Long on Acquisition, Short on Maintenance

Feb 24, 2011

President Obama's budget calls for full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund but proposes to slice $206 million from the Forest Service Capital Improvement budget.

Changes to Enchantments Permits Ahead

Feb 23, 2011

Enchantment lottery applications will now be available online, starting February 28, 2011, and running through March 20, 2011. Overnight visitors must obtain one of these permits to camp in the basin from June 15 - October 15.

America's Great Outdoors Initiative Report Released

Feb 18, 2011

America weighed in; read the America's Great Outdoors Initiative Report now.

Carbon River Road to become a trail

Feb 17, 2011

On February 11, Mount Rainier National Park announced its final decision to convert the Carbon River Road into a trail for hikers and bicyclists.

Lobby Day Wrap-up

Feb 15, 2011

Thank you to all of our Hiker Lobby Day activists, both on-the-ground and virtual. You Rocked!

Ten Places to Go for Presidents Day

Feb 14, 2011

From the Methow Valley and Leavenworth to the Olympic Coast and Columbia Gorge, ten places to go this Presidents Day Weekend.

New Boardwalk at Nisqually

Feb 11, 2011

The new four-mile Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail has officially opened in Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge offering visitors the opportunity to watch the tides change the landscape and see a vast array of birds and wildlife.