Stories & News

Get the latest news, how-to advice, and feature articles about the trail community, the current hiking season and issues impacting trails you love.

Get local news, how-to advice, and feature articles about our trail community, the current hiking season in Washington and issues impacting trails you love.

Learn more about: WTA member magazine | Signpost blog

Hiker Headlines: Graves Creek Road Work, Wildfire Season Continues

Sep 08, 2022

Graves Creek Road is slated to be repaired next week. Wildfire season continues in earnest and more trails and campgrounds are closed due to nearby flames. And, summer is not over yet!

The Mid-Autumn Festival: Quality Time with Community Under the Full Moon

Sep 07, 2022

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) is on September 10 this year! If you’re hoping to find a place to get outside and see the full moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, we've got some tips and ideas.

My Journey to an Outdoor Career

How WTA helped me gain the skills to transition from the classroom to the backcountry. By Iman Chatila

A Book Made for Disabled Hikers

Syren Nagakyrie hopes their new hiking guide gives many who have felt excluded the information they need to get outside. By Jessi Loerch

Hiker Headlines: Labor Day Weekend, Closures, New Funding

Sep 01, 2022

The long weekend is almost here! Get some inspiration on where to go, and keep up to date on the latest trail and road closures. And, a new infrastructure bill will award Washington $6.3 million in funding for forest projects.

20 Days on Mineral Creek: Revitalizing a Route to the PCT

Aug 31, 2022

Tucked into a quiet trailhead outside of Salmon La Sac is the Mineral Creek Trail — a steep yet rewarding route straight into the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It was in pretty rough shape — so we sent our Lost Trails Found crews in to give it a glow up.

How Libraries are Building a Path to the Outdoors

Aug 29, 2022

The King County Library System (KCLS) aims to support the community in their outdoor endeavors by providing hiking- and outdoor-specific resources for many years.

Hiking Then and Now

When it comes to gear, I don’t long for yesteryear | By Craig Romano

Hiker Headlines: Closures, Hot Weather and Wildfires

Aug 25, 2022

There are multiple closures and road delays in the North Cascades this week. And, with hot weather coming our way, make sure to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Making Strides in Trail Stewardship

Aug 23, 2022

As hiking rises in popularity, we’re constantly looking for innovative solutions to support a growing number of hikers on trail.

Hiker Headlines: Photo Contest, Closures, Wildfire Info

Aug 18, 2022

WTA’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest is now accepting entries! Take note of a few trail and road closures over the next several weeks. Be aware of controlled fires in Thurston County starting soon. And, on that note, be sure to check wildfire statuses before heading out on a trip.

WTA's Photo Contest is Now Open

Aug 17, 2022

It's that time of year again! Enter your favorite hiking photos for a chance to win prizes and help tell the story of trails.

WTA's Driving Directions Will Get You There

Aug 15, 2022

When you can tell your phone to navigate you to almost anywhere in the city, it might seem quaint to rely on written driving directions. But head out for a hike and you might find yourself wanting WTA's ground-truthed driving directions.

Hiker Headlines: Refuge Outdoor Festival, Closures and Fire Restrictions, New Park

Aug 11, 2022

Refuge Outdoor Festival is this weekend! Be aware of a few trail and vehicle access closures. New campfire restrictions have been put into place. And, a new park in Spokane has been opened.

Hiking with Kids: Trip Reporters' Tips, Tricks and Snacks

Aug 08, 2022

We reached out to three regular trip reporters who get out with their kids to hear about why they write trip reports, why they like hiking with kids and, of course, their favorite on-trail snacks and games.

Hiker Headlines: Hiking Guide Update, Free Day, Fire Restrictions

Aug 04, 2022

We've redesigned and updated our Hiking Guide! Today is Great American Outdoors Day, and parking fees are waived in some areas. Summer repaving continues on Highway 20. Hunting season is starting up on some public lands. And, more campfire restrictions have been put in place. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Creating Community During Hike-a-Thon

Aug 03, 2022

Meet three Hike-a-Thon participants and learn how they’re building community while enjoy time on trails all through August.

Protect the Future of Trails with WTA

Aug 01, 2022

Hundreds turned out this weekend for Washington Trails Day to join WTA in protecting the future of trails. You can join too.

Epic Backpacking, Epic Transit: A WTA Staff Member's Alternative Transportation Tips

Jul 29, 2022

Out-and-back and loop hikes make transportation to and from trailheads relatively simple. But what if you’re planning a long one-way thru-hike? One WTA staff member shares her experience using alternative transportation to get to and from a long hike and some tips she has for others looking to do something similar.

Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Closures, Washington Trails Day

Jul 28, 2022

WTA’s 19th annual Hike-a-Thon starts August 1. The Snow Lake trail will be closed starting July 29 through October, and the roads to the Talapus Lake and Ira Springs trailheads continue to have ongoing closures. Campfire restrictions are in place on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Join us for Washington Trails Day this Saturday, July 30. And, incredibly hot weather is in the forecast this weekend.

Why Do We Fix Popular Trails?

Jul 26, 2022

Popular trails can need as much — or more — maintenance than less-well-known routes. Find out why.

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: the Service Board

Jul 26, 2022

We recently talked with a few groups we admire, including Shona Kerrick from the Service Board, to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

Community-Based Solutions: Darrington Local Coordinating Mountain Loop Highway Trailhead Ambassador Program

Jul 25, 2022

Talking community and battling doomscrolling with the coordinator of the Mountain Loop Highway's newest trailhead ambassador program.

Hiker Headlines: Now Hiring, Campfire Restrictions, Summer Construction

Jul 21, 2022

WTA is hiring! Campfires restrictions are returning to some Washington areas due to wildfire danger. Some facilities will be closed as the Highway 20 repaving project continues. Recreation fee changes have been proposed by Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Rehabilitation efforts are starting up on Stevens Canyon Road. And, check out WTA’s interview with KUOW about what goes into saving a trail.

What Makes the Vivid Colors in Mountain Lakes?

Jul 20, 2022

If you’ve hiked to many mountain lakes, you’ve likely noticed that many of them are particularly blue — some almost seem otherworldly in their intensity. But what makes those lakes such an eye-popping color?

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: Trail Mixed Collective

Jul 19, 2022

We recently talked with a few groups we admire, including Quena Batres and Liselle Pires of Trail Mixed Collective, to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

Field-Tested Favorites: Mealtime Experiences and Recipes from WTA Outdoor Leadership Training Leaders

Jul 18, 2022

Two leaders from WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training program, Christine Zarker Primomo and Harper McFadden, share their experiences cooking with youth in the outdoors, and their favorite backpacking recipes from their trips.

Hiker Headlines: Artist Point Road Opening, Trail Closures, Sundaes Outside

Jul 14, 2022

The road to Artist Point is open for the season! Forest Service construction will close the Annette Lake trail through October. King County Parks construction will close some of the Cougar Mountain trail network through July. And join Golden Bricks Events for Sundaes Outside this Sunday, July 17 at Dash Point State Park.

Plans, Packs & Permits for Summer Backpacking

What to consider before you head out for backpacking adventures this summer. | By Craig Romano

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: Sea Potential

Jul 13, 2022

We recently talked with a few local outdoor groups we admire to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

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