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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10 Stories from 10 Years of Outdoor Leadership Training: How WTA Helps Community Leaders and Kids Get Outside
Oct 06, 2023
Over the last decade, WTA has met some incredible leaders through the Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) program from a variety of programs, including educators, therapists, youth ministers, scouts, environmental justice workers and members of tribal and affinity groups. As a way to look back and celebrate the OLT program’s 10th anniversary, we wanted to revisit 10 stories from our partners.
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Hiker Headlines: Hurricane Ridge Closure, Bear Poles Removed for the Season, Free Day
Oct 05, 2023
WTA’s Trailblazer app was included in the Seattle Times’s recommendations for a Seattle starter kit. Oct 10 is World Mental Health Day, and parking fees will be waived in some areas. Be aware of some closures at Hurricane Ridge Area and the Quinault Rainforest trailhead, in addition to areas with planned burns. And bear poles are being removed from backcountry camps in Mount Rainier National Park — make sure to bring your bear canisters!
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Recreate Responsibly: Reflecting on Three Years of Impact
Oct 04, 2023
The #recreateresponsibly movement was foraged during the pandemic, and has since grown into a national movement. Washington Trails Association and the Mountains to Sound Greenway are continuing to lead the charge in bringing the outdoor recreation community together under an adaptive goal of stewarding responsible recreation.
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Your Vote in Action: King County Parks Levy
Oct 02, 2023
We look in at the midway point of the King County Parks Levy to check on the trails built and the work accomplished by its funding.
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Dash Point State Park Reveals: WTA is More Than Trails
Oct 02, 2023
Dash Point State Park is a great example of how WTA works in many different ways to create trails for everyone, forever. We are working behind the scenes to fund land management agencies, and we’re working on the ground to rebuild trails. From empowering partners to get their communities outdoors – to helping everyone who gets outdoors to see the part they play in stewarding the places they love, we are building a better future for trails.
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Hiker Headlines: Emerging Leaders Program Hiring, Breaking Ground on New Trail, Mount Rainier Road Closures
Sep 28, 2023
WTA is hiring for its next Emerging Leaders Program cohort! We’re excited to have started work on a new trail in Whatcom County. Some new funding come to Pacific Northwest urban forests and communities. You'll want to plan around some road closures that might affect your upcoming hikes, as well as some upcoming prescribed burns near Trout Lake. And we’re starting to see some snow in the high country!
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WTA Breaks Ground on New Trail Thanks to Planning, Funding, Volunteer Power
Sep 27, 2023
Last week, WTA volunteers cut brush, dug new tread and built retaining walls to begin work on a new 15-mile loop trail around Olsen Creek in Whatcom County. This trail, and the opportunities to get outdoors that it will create, is made possible by years of work by WTA and our partners.
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How WTA is Building a Path to Outdoor Jobs With Leadership and Collaboration
Sep 26, 2023
WTA's Emerging Leaders Program, which helps increase access to jobs in the outdoor sector, is heading into its fourth year. We're now accepting applications for the 2024 cohort. And we're looking back at what the program has accomplished so far.
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15,000+ miles and $244,000+ raised: a recap of our biggest Hike-a-Thon yet
Sep 19, 2023
We're excited to share the results of Hike-a-Thon 2023. We’re so grateful for every Hike-a-Thon participant and supporter that made Hike-a-Thon a part of their summer and dedicated time and energy to trails. WTA thanks you — and so do trails!
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Highlights of the 2023 Lost Trails Found Season
Sep 19, 2023
WTA's Lost Trails Found crews have been busy this season. We checked-in to see what they've been up to. | By Joseph Gonzalez
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Hiker Headlines: 30 Years of Trail Maintenance, More Highway 20 Trails Reopen, Hurricane Ridge Road to Close Temporarily
Sep 14, 2023
We’re celebrating 30 years of trail maintenance at WTA! Sept 23 is National Public Lands Day. Take a survey to help Gifford Pinchot National Forest develop a sustainable trails strategy. There are some current and upcoming closures you might want to note when planning your weekend, but — in good news — some of the North Cascades wildfire closures have lifted.
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Share Your Hopes for Trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Sep 14, 2023
Gifford Pinchot National Forest is creating a sustainable trail system plan to guide future recreation opportunities across the forest and to support visits to iconic places like High Rock Fire Lookout, Goat Rocks Wilderness, Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens. The forest’s leadership wants to hear from you by Sept. 30 to learn what you value about access to this landscape and where you see opportunities to better meet needs in the future.
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Crazy in Love (with Hiking): Trails to Pair with Your Favorite Beyoncé Songs
Sep 11, 2023
Beyoncé is bringing her Renaissance World Tour to Seattle on Thursday, Sept. 14. To celebrate, here are seven hikes to go along with seven iconic songs by Queen Bey.
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Hiker Headlines: WTA's Favorite Central WA Hikes, Some Hwy 20 Trails Reopen, New Trail Fire Closures
Sep 07, 2023
Join WTA staffers for a virtual chat about some of our favorite Central Washington hikes on Sept 14. Some trails along Highway 20 have reopened, but make sure you’re also aware of some closures throughout the state. And celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend this weekend!
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Partnerships Made the Popular Suntop Lookout ADA-Accessible
Sep 05, 2023
Fire lookouts are perhaps the last destinations most people would recommend to someone searching out trails that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards. These locations often come with long, grueling hikes on trails that can be in terrible shape. But thanks to work from a legion of volunteers, nonprofit and agency staff, the Suntop Fire Lookout off Highway 410 will soon be ADA-accessible, truly a trail for everyone.
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Hiker Headlines: Hurricane Ridge Fire, Same-Day Camping Reservations, Fun Finder Map
Aug 31, 2023
Highway 20 has reopened, but recreation is still closed in the area. The Hurricane Ridge Area has closed due to a lightning-sparked fire, and Highway 970 near Cle Elum will have some closures and delays this weekend. Some good news: King County Parks has a new Backyard Fun Finder and there are now more state parks where you can reserve same-day campsites. And happy Labor Day Weekend!
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Trip Report Roundup: Hike-a-Thon Adventures All Across the State!
Aug 30, 2023
Throughout the month of August, Hike-a-Thon participants enjoyed adventures on trail. Here are some of our favorite trip reports from across the state.
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Hiking Families Celebrate Summer’s Last Hurrah
Aug 25, 2023
Although Washington’s peak hiking season lasts well into fall, families are saying farewell to summer as they prepare to return to school. Check out these trip reports for ideas for your own end-of-summer hikes — or for weekend adventures this fall.
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Hiker Headlines: Family-Friendly Work Party, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Survey, Wildfires Rage On
Aug 24, 2023
Join WTA on a family-friendly work party at Panorama Dome on September 2. Take the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Visitors Survey to help shape the future of the area. Wildfires continue across the state.
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Tour These Trail Maintenance Projects: A Summer Status Report
Aug 23, 2023
So far this year, we've cleared 2,520 drains, cut 1,297 logs, and hung out with 1,424 new volunteers! We've also done a ton of other projects all over the state. Here's a few of them.
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WTA's New Map Layer Helps Plan Hikes in Wildfire and Smoke Season
Aug 21, 2023
As we enter into the thick of wildfire and smoke season, WTA releases new tools and planning tips to stay safe and
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