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

How to reduce your waste on trail

Check out these tips and tricks for lessening your environmental impact when planning for your next trip. By Marissa Wall

Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon begins, free day, new Trailhead Direct stop, Washington cities rank high in hikers

Aug 01, 2024

Hike-a-Thon starts today! This Sunday is Great American Outdoors Day, which celebrates the Great American Outdoors Act, and parking fees will be waived on some federal lands. Be aware of a new campfire ban — as well as some incoming smoke — and a couple of upcoming road closures. Some fun news though: Trailhead Direct has added a new stop and a couple of Washington cities ranked high in adult hikers compared to metropolitan areas across the country.

Great American Outdoors Act improves popular trails (roads, bathrooms and more)

Aug 01, 2024

For four years, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) — a federal bill that became law on August 4, 2020 — has been funding major improvements to some of our state’s most popular trails. But it's about to expire.

Mount St. Helens Jamboree: 3 days of heat, trail work and fun

Jul 31, 2024

3 days, 23 people, 7 miles of trail cleared at Washington's most active volcano.

Share a story: Forest bathing at Heather Meadows

Jul 29, 2024

Enjoy a snapshot from the WTA trip reporter and Instagram community, brought to you by volunteer, trip reporter and photographer Derek Posey.

Hiker Headlines: Fire closures across the state, WTA is hiring and more

Jul 25, 2024

WTA is hiring for a donor relations officer! Be aware that there are many road and trail closures statewide to keep on your radar. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Hiker Headlines: Heat wave, new fires near North Cascades Hwy, Cascade Crest 100, bugs & beauty

Jul 18, 2024

A heat wave and poor air quality hit central and eastern Washington. A new wildfire near Rainy Pass temporarily closed a section of the North Cascades Hwy. It's reopened, but unplanned pass closures are possible due to wildfire activity. New fire flares up in the SE corner of the state. The Cascade Crest 100 is this weekend. It's buggy and beautiful out there, say trip reporters.

250,000 trip reports! A quarter million acts of kindness for the common good

Jul 17, 2024

How one tiny, generous habit has had a big impact for public lands and the trail community in Washington.

WTA youth program wins national recognition

Jul 16, 2024

WTA's youth trail maintenance program recently won an award for efficient management of funds!

Moments with Miles, the Hike-a-Thon spokesmarmot

Jul 12, 2024

Hike-a-Thon’s spokesmarmot chats with WTA staff about his favorite event of the year!

Hiker Headlines: Mount St. Helens crater rim collapse, Lake 22 and Shoofly Fire trail closures

Jul 11, 2024

A large piece of the Mount St. Helens crater rim has collapsed, resulting in danger and instability at the top of the Monitor Ridge route. July 16 is the Bureau of Land Management’s birthday, and parking fees will be waived on its lands. Over a thousand hikers pledged to stay on trail on Washington Trails Day this year! And be aware of several trail closures and fire restrictions as you plan your next adventure.

New plan to rebuild Eightmile Dam and how it affects hikers

Jul 10, 2024

Just a few weeks ago, the state released its Final Environmental Impact Statement with a preferred plan for reconstructing Eightmile Dam in the Enchantments permit area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The chosen option will increase the footprint of the dam and also give water managers the ability to change the water level in the lake by more than before.

Gear up for learning: Transformative bikepacking trips for Olympia teens

Jul 09, 2024

The Avanti Bikes! program offers immersive educational experiences centered around bicycle education, safety, and community engagement. With the support of WTA, the program has also organized bikepacking trips to create hands-on learning opportunities, foster teamwork and promote environmental awareness.

Trip Report Roundup: Solstice brings warmer weather, wildflowers and wildlife

Jul 08, 2024

No matter where hikers were heading after the summer solstice, they saw higher temperatures, flowers blooming and wildlife abound. Over the last couple of weeks, we at WTA — and the greater hiking community — have enjoyed reading all about your adventures in trip reports as summer officially starts.

Three proud moments in WTA’s work for wilderness areas

Jul 03, 2024

July 3, 2024 was the 40th anniversary of the Washington State Wilderness Act, which created 18 wilderness areas — and expanded 3 wilderness areas — in our state. WTA has been working in, and for, wilderness areas for decades.

Get rec'd: WTA adds hike recommender to app

Jul 01, 2024

Washingtonians are spoiled for choice when it comes to trails, and sometimes the sheer number of options can be intimidating. Don't you wish you had someone who could recommend the perfect trail for you? Lucky for you, WTA does.

Hike-a-Thon is here — Get pumped for prizes

Jul 01, 2024

It’s July, which means registration for Hike-a-Thon is officially open. WTA’s annual peer-to-peer fundraiser helps raise important funds to support trail maintenance, free hiker resources, youth programs and so much more. Fundraising can be hard work, and we want to say thank you by recognizing your accomplishments. Check out this year's fundraising prizes!

Hiker Headlines: Road to Artist Point opens, WTA wildfire and AQI map layers, new Elwha River Bridge nearly complete

Jun 27, 2024

WTA’s wildfire and AQI map layers on the Hike Finder Map are live for the summer. The road to Artist Point is for the season, but be aware of some road construction projects that might affect your hiking plans. Hikers have a few fun events to look forward to this summer. And happy early 4th of July!

58 years of Signpost magazine: Vintage finds from the early years of WTA

Jun 25, 2024

We delve into the archives to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the first issue of Signpost magazine and the origin story of Washington Trails Association.

A bounty of seaweed: How foraging can connect us to ancestral food practices and trails

A foraging trip offered a connection to the land and sea — and my own and other cultures. By Riley Collins

Outdoor educators who inspire: Whatcom Intergenerational High School

Jun 24, 2024

Science teacher Cameron Kolk on how place-based education that integrates Western and Indigenous ways of knowing can foster a stronger sense of student identity, community and lasting, trusting relationships.

A public school science outdoors program to inspire

Lincoln High School in Tacoma is proving the hypothesis that an outdoors science program can deliver on STEM, help students dream big and break down geographic, economic and social barriers to the outdoors. | by MJ Sampang

Hiker Headlines: Hot weather, new trail segments open, SE burn ban, helicopters, Governor talks trails

Jun 20, 2024

It’s June 20. Flood watch on near the Bolt Creek burn scar in the Index/Skykomish area. Washington DNR bans dispersed campfires throughout its Southeast Region. New urban trail segments open in Spokane and Bellevue. Chelan Lakeshore trail closes fully; the Swale Canyon section of the Klickitat closes for repair through 2025. Helicopters at work in the North Cascades. Governor Inslee talks about the value of trails and taking action to protect them for Washington Trails Day.

Go camping with a WTA work party this summer

Jun 20, 2024

Having a hard time snagging a campsite this summer? WTA may be hosting a work party with camping right where you want to be. Check out the schedule today!

Outdoor educators who inspire: Tacoma Online

Jun 19, 2024

Assistant Principal Ruth Schlattmann on why it's vital for all kids to have the opportunity to experience community, set goals and stretch their comfort zones with outdoor experiences, even when they go to school in a largely online environment.

Hiker Headlines: Mountain Loop Highway and Mount Pilchuck Road reopen, fire at Chelan Lakeshore, WTA is hiring

Jun 14, 2024

June 19 is Juneteenth, and parking fees will be waived in some areas. The Mountain Loop Highway and the road to Mount Pilchuck open this week! Wildfire season is here, and there is a partial closure on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail. And WTA is hiring for a South Puget Sound trails coordinator!

Outdoor educators who inspire: Swiftwater Learning Center

Jun 12, 2024

Educator Michele Montgomery on how she uses hands-on learning and the outdoor classroom to share a sense of place and comfort and the outdoors. For high school students growing up in a recreation and tourism town at the foot of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, those lessons can lead to lifelong passions and potential future careers.

How do Forest Service roads signs work?

The U.S. Forest Service uses a variety of trail and road signs. Check out our guide on what they mean and how they help us get outside. By Jessi Loerch

Olympic National Park seeks hiker feedback on new overnight permit limits for Enchanted Valley

Jun 07, 2024

This summer, for the first time, Olympic National Park will have a limit on overnight camping in the Enchanted Valley. This is a pilot project and park staff want to hear from hikers about this new quota system and how it impacts your outdoor experience.

Hiker Headlines: Fee-free days, Stevens Canyon Road reopens, warm days coming

Jun 06, 2024

Parking fees will be waived in some areas this weekend. Stevens Canyon Road has reopened after a 2-year-long improvement project. The Forest Service has invested over $1.2 million in future Pacific Northwest forest restoration projects. Watch out for some upcoming closures and construction delays. And we’ve got some hot weather coming this weekend!