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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Just the Essentials

Dec 21, 2010

Topping WTA's list of 2010 accomplishments is more than 104,000 hours of volunteer trail maintenance on 148 trails statewide. Saving Mount Si. A new map-based Hike Finder. Families Go Hiking workshops. Restoring the Loowit Trail around Mount St. Helens. A rerouted Glacier Basin Trail at Mount Rainier.

Where We Hiked: Dec. 13 - 19

Dec 20, 2010

With snow returning to the mountains and a few days of sun, WTA's Trip Reporters had a good time on some interesting trails last week.

Pete Dewell "Awarded Volunteer of the Year"

Dec 17, 2010

When Pete Dewell began coming out on work parties with WTA over ten years ago, he wasn't expecting it to become a full-time avocation. A decade and 893 work parties later, Pete is one of our most dedicated volunteers, and was just recognized for his amazing contributions by the National Public Lands Day program, which named him "Volunteer of the Year." Congratulations, Pete!

Hiker Stocking Stuffers

Dec 15, 2010

Boeing Awards Major Grant for Trail Work

Dec 14, 2010

Boeing awards WTA a $50,000 grant for its trailwork.

Where We Hiked: Dec. 6 - Dec. 12

Dec 13, 2010

What a hearty bunch of hikers! See where your fellow Trip Reporters snowshoed, skied and hiked during the past week.

Donations Doubled for Cape Horn Trail

Dec 10, 2010

The National Forest Foundation recently awarded WTA a matching grant. When we've raised $13,000 from hikers like you, the Foundation will match each gift dollar-for-dollar.

Guided Snowshoe Treks at the passes

Dec 09, 2010

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Forest is offering guided snowshoe treks at Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass this winter.

Middle Fork Road to be Paved?

Dec 07, 2010

Could the notoriously potholed Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road be paved? Find out more tonight from 5-7pm at an open house at the Snoqualmie Ranger Station in North Bend.

Where We Hiked: Nov 29-Dec 5

Dec 06, 2010

Where We Hiked is Monday round-up of trip reports filed by hikers like you on wta.org. Browse trip reports for the latest trail conditions, hike ideas, and terrific photography of Washington's wild places. This week, we highlight the new trail to Mt. Tenerife / Kamikaze Falls, Heybrook Lookout, and Big Creek and Mount Ellinor.

2011 Trail Running Calendar to Benefit WTA

Dec 05, 2010

Proceeds from the 2011 Tribute to the Trails calendar benefits WTA.

Passes Closed for Winter

Dec 02, 2010

Cayuse (SR 123) and Chinook (SR 410) Passes and the North Cascades Highway (SR 20) have all closed for the winter. The Mountain Loop Highway is at least temporarily closed between Deer Creek and Barlow Pass.

Does your company match volunteer hours?

Nov 29, 2010

More employers are recognizing hard earned hours spent on trail with matching gifts to WTA!

Hikes for Turkey Day Recovery

Nov 26, 2010

To burn off those Thanksgiving calories - and spend some quality time with friends and family - take advantage of the long holiday weekend and go for a hike!

100,000 HOURS!!!

Nov 23, 2010

Amazing! WTA's volunteer trail maintenance program surpassed 100,000 hours for the first time ever.

Snow Play

Nov 20, 2010

WTA has debuted a new winter recreation section of its website.

Dosewallips River Road Washout FEIS released

Nov 18, 2010

The Olympic National Forest has released a final EIS on re-routing the Dosewallips River Road.

War of the Sno-Parks

Nov 17, 2010

Washington and Oregon tussle over a 30-year reciprocal agreement to honor Sno-Parks passes.

Hikers to See More User Fees

Nov 11, 2010

State land management agencies are proposing legislation to authorize steep user fees for recreationists on Department of Natural Resource lands, including one of the state's most popular trails, Mount Si. These lands need stable, sustainable sources of funding, and a reasonable user fee system is a good approach. Is $10 per person per day to hike Mount Si "reasonable?" What do you think?

Rusty Thompson wins National Wilderness Award

Nov 04, 2010

National Parks in Color

Nov 02, 2010

Love your National Parks? See them like you've never seen them before -- in downtown Seattle. The National Parks in Washington State is a fine-art exhibition of 42 large photographs displaying perspectives of National Park Service units in Washington State, currently exhibited at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. The exhibit is presented by seven resident professional nature photographers renowned for capturing exceptional views of the natural world.