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 WTA is like a savvy, local friend to hikers who are new to Washington

When you move somewhere new, having a local friend who knows their way around makes all the difference. This is especially true for hikers who move to Washington, where the trail options feel endless and seasonal conditions vary greatly from place to place. | By Linnea Johnson

Join WTA for live music set to photos of Washington's trails

Apr 05, 2024

Love mountains? Love music? Join us for a hiking-themed concert with photos from around the state set to live music. By Brynna Counts-Morgan

Hiker Headlines: Now hiring, St. Helens permits, Highway 20 clearing begins, solar eclipse

Apr 04, 2024

WTA is hiring for a development director. Both King County Parks and Washington State Parks are seeking public comments on upcoming projects. Crews have started clearing Highway 20. Mount St. Helens' peak climbing season is here. Fryingpan Creek in Mount Rainier is going to get a new bridge. And there’s a solar eclipse on Monday!

From the Gorge to the border, popular trails are getting love this spring

Apr 03, 2024

It's barely the end of winter and WTA trail crews have accomplished great things already. Thanks to increased staff capacity, we're building new trails in several parts of the state, and our work last year has earned kudos from land managers and neighbors alike.

Once Youth Volunteers, Now WTA Leaders

Anna Pree and Kat Conley each began trail work with WTA as teenagers. Now, they’re trail work professionals who are inspiring the next generation on trail.

As Seen On Trail: WTA's FaciliTree

Apr 01, 2024

Hearing nature's call? Answer it with Washington's most efficient and convenient hiking accessory you'll ever use: the FaciliTree.

How WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training helped one teacher finally get outside with her students

Sara Ullmer led 24 outdoor trips with students from 2015-2019. Learn how WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training helped her get kids outside. By Krista Dooley

Writing down 7 unwritten rules of hiking

Hiking has a set of unwritten rules that you may not know. We're demystifying them and helping you hike like a pro. By Anna Roth.

Volunteer Profile: Rick Bennett

Mar 28, 2024

In the wilds of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, you can find Rick Bennett — one of WTA's dedicated volunteer crew leaders. Rick’s been a trail maintenance volunteer since 2008 and has been a crew leader (or blue hat) since 2022. Over the course of 16 years, Rick has provided volunteers fun and welcoming experiences on trail, and in February, he was recognized with the the Gig Harbor Rotary Club's Star Award.

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier timed-access permits, construction closures, spring is here!

Mar 28, 2024

Timed-access permits for July entry into Mount Rainier National Park will be available on April 1. Some construction projects throughout the state may cause road and trail closures or delays. $6 million has been allocated to preserving the Bridge of the Gods. And spring is here!

Get ready for youth volunteer vacations this summer

Mar 26, 2024

This summer, youth ages 14-18 can join us on trail for extended volunteer work parties, either in the backcountry or car-camping trips. Here's what you need to know before applications open up on April 1.

Trip Report Corner : Eagle eyes on the trail

Mar 26, 2024

Trip reports aren't just a way to learn from the hiking community — they're reminders of the stunning beauty found across Washington.

WTA crew leaders inspire fun and a love for nature in youth volunteers

Mar 22, 2024

On trail in March, WTA's Kaci Darsow celebrated six years as WTA's youth crew leader, but their milestone was only one of many to mark the growth and maturity of WTA's youth program.

Hiker Headlines: Wildlife March Madness; Enchantments daily lottery change; Heather Lake Trail closed Saturday

Mar 21, 2024

Head to WTA’s Instagram stories over the next few weeks to vote in our March Madness - Washington Wildlife Edition! The daily Enchantments walk-up permit lottery process will be mobile-based this summer. And take note: The Heather Lake Trail and visitor center in Stehekin have upcoming closures.

What’s in a park? Reshape the way you think of greenspaces

Your local park and national parks aren’t as different as you might think. By Joe Gonzalez

Hiker's guide to backpacking chairs

Take a seat and learn everything you need to know about which hiking chair is right for you. By Sandra Saathoff

Washington’s best-kept secret for funding the outdoors just got better

Mar 18, 2024

You may have never heard of Washington state’s Recreation Conservation Office (RCO), but for the past 60 years it has been protecting and improving our state’s outdoors. To help ecosystems and communities thrive, RCO invests in projects that protect lands and develop parks and trails. This spring, RCO is taking a new equity-focused approach to their grantmaking, so this best-kept secret just keeps getting better.

Dog mountain permits available now

Mar 14, 2024

Permits for Dog Mountain in 2025 are on sale March 15. If you drive to the trailhead on Saturday, Sundays or on Memorial Day between April 26 and June 15, you will need a Dog Mountain permit in addition to a Northwest Forest Pass.

Hiker Headlines: Free day, Trails and Ales, legislative wins, warm weekend weather

Mar 14, 2024

Next Tuesday, March 19, is Washington State Parks’ birthday and parking fees will be waived in some areas. Put Trails and Ales with WTA and the annual Washington Coastal Cleanup on your calendars. We’re excited for some wins from the 2024 state legislative session, and we’re also excited that spring is here!

Wins for trails: Legislature funds forest conservation and work with tribes

Mar 12, 2024

Each year, WTA works with hikers like you, partner organizations and lawmakers during the state legislative session to get trails and public lands the funding they need. The 2024 state legislative session ended on March 7 with good news for trails and public lands. Nearly every priority that WTA was supporting ended up funded in the final state budget.

How to pick the right hiking socks for you

Happy feet, happy hiker. The right hiking socks can make a huge difference to your day on trail. (And your time chilling in camp.) Here’s some tips to help you find a pair that works for you. By Sandra Saathoff

Columbia Mountain trail gets a brushing on WTA's first winter BCRT

Mar 11, 2024

In February a crew of 12 plucky volunteer snow camped to address backlogged maintenance on Columbia Mountain. See what a winter BCRT looks like.

How one volunteer is building solutions that help keep WTA's programs running

For 18 years, John Mackenzie has been using his carpentry skills to support WTA's work, including our trailwork and Outdoor Leadership Training programs.| By Anna Roth

Hiker Headlines: Free day, Mount Rainier National Park turns 125, I-90 closure

Mar 07, 2024

March 9 is Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday, and parking fees will be waived in some areas. Mount Rainier National Park just celebrated its 125th anniversary! Be aware of a couple of closures and some snowy/rainy weather this upcoming week.

How Denice Rochelle and the Bronze Chapter Champion Diversity

I grew up in the outdoors — and I started The Bronze Chapter because I want more people of color to have that opportunity. By Denice Rochelle

Share a story: A snowy backpacking trip

Mar 04, 2024

From time to time, we like to share memorable moments from our community. Here’s one of those stories, from Hwei Ling Ng, @thenomadicartist on WTA trip reports and Instagram.

Want to avoid the snow? Hit the beach this winter.

Mar 01, 2024

Beat the snow this winter with these tips and tricks for coastal hiking.

Hiker Headlines: Mount St. Helens and North Cascades permits, plus a webinar to explain passes and permits

Feb 29, 2024

Happy Leap Day! Mount St. Helens permits will start getting released March 1, and the North Cascades early access lottery opens on March 4. If you're confused about permits, an upcoming webinar can help. And a North Shore Quinault Road closure and snowy weather might affect your upcoming hiking plans.

Hikers helped win funding that’s fixing Washington state’s longest trail

Feb 28, 2024

Two years ago, hikers like you helped secure a huge win for public lands in Washington state: $15 million of annual funding to tackle the recreation maintenance backlog on our state lands. Ever since, that funding has been improving trails, roads, bathrooms, campgrounds and more. We like to celebrate those wins, including recent work on the Palouse to Cascades Trail.

Where's the snow? WTA's newest map layer helps winter and spring hikers plan

Feb 27, 2024

WTA's new snow-depth layer helps hikers plan their trips around snow.