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: Fires close Hamma Hamma area trails, Hike-a-Thon, Hike the State, free day

Jul 31, 2025

WTA’s annual Hike-a-Thon starts tomorrow, and join us for Hike the State later in August! Aug. 4 is the Great American Outdoors Act’s 5th anniversary, and parking fees will be waived in some areas. The Hamma Fire has closed some trails on the Olympic Peninsula, and more fire bans are in place. And join Washington State Parks to celebrate the reopening of Kopachuck State Park this weekend.

Thumbs up: How hitchhiking brought me closer to public lands and the trail community

If you enjoy long backcountry thru-hikes like me, you’re eventually going to hitchhike. Here are some recollections from my many hitchhikes and how they brought me closer to trails. By Joseph Gonzalez

Dead out: what to do if you find an abandoned campfire

Jul 31, 2025

It’s peak wildfire season. Temperatures are rising into the triple digits and red flag warnings are in effect across multiple counties in Washington State. You’re doing a great job following the restrictions, but do you know what to do if you encounter an abandoned campfire that someone else has left behind?

Vote “yes” for our parks in King County

Jul 30, 2025

Now through Aug. 5, King County residents can vote to renew the county’s parks levy for the next 6 years. Funding from the levy provides 85% of King County Parks’ budget, making it essential to operating the county’s parks and trails.

Hiker Headlines: Fires close Columbia River & Hwy 20 trails, Parking in Paradise, Pint nights with Dru Bru, Wildlife encounter tips

Jul 24, 2025

It’s July 24. New fires close trails along the Columbia River Gorge and Hwy 20 in the North Cascades. The ongoing road and parking lot work at Mount Rainier will require plenty of patience. Join WTA and Dru Bru for upcoming pint nights. And learn what to do if you encounter cougars, bears or mountain goats on trail.

WTA wraps up a season of trailhead outreach at Ancient Lakes

Jul 22, 2025

Volunteers at Ancient Lakes talked to hundreds of hikers over the course of several months, marking a hugely successful season of trailhead outreach as part of an ongoing partnership with the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife.

A hitchhiker's guide to Washington

I’ve hitchhiked scores of times across hundreds of miles. Here’s how you can do the same (legally and responsibly). By Joseph Gonzalez

WTA volunteer crew improves popular trail – and puts out smoldering fire

Jul 18, 2025

Last month, an 11-person volunteer crew, one of a series of work parties improving the way to popular Barclay Lake, ended up putting out a fire after their day of work clearing overgrown brush for a full two miles of the trail.

Hiker Headlines: Fires close Mount Ellinor-area trails, baby goats & thimbleberries, trail maintenance budget fallout

Jul 17, 2025

It’s July 17. The Bear Gulch Fire on the Olympic Peninsula has closed access to Mount Ellinor-area trails and campgrounds. New campfire restrictions. Federal budget and staffing cuts disrupt trail maintenance projects in Washington and beyond. Trip reporters are spotting mountain goats with kids in tow. Thimbleberries are ripening up. Someone also found a gold ring on Mailbox Peak, if you're missing one.

Hikers, bikers, equestrians, dirt bikers and disability community find common ground in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Jul 15, 2025

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest recently released its sustainable trails systems strategic plan to guide the agency and partner organizations as we face the challenges of decreased funding for National Forests. The plan will help guide how the forest identifies new trails and maintains existing ones. Washington Trails Association has been a longtime, close partner with the U.S. Forest Service and helped gather public input for this plan to ensure local hikers were heard.

Trip reports do more than you think: 3 case studies

Jul 10, 2025

Did you know that your trip reports can help improve trails in the long run? They help WTA and land managers see larger patterns in how people use trails. That helps land managers make good decisions about where to invest their time, resources and upkeep. And it helps WTA advocate for funding and policies to match what you and other hikers need.

Hiker Headlines: Staircase Rapids, Mount Rose and more closed due to fires; North Shore Road closure, free day

Jul 10, 2025

Join WTA at a Hiker Happy Hour in Bellingham on July 24! An “earthquake swarm” was detected this week at Mount Rainier, but experts say there’s nothing to worry about. Some road closures will affect trail access. And, we’re fully into fire season — be aware of fire closures, fire bans and how to stay safe as it gets even warmer.

Public lands sales dropped after pressure from Washington Congressional delegation, hikers and the outdoor recreation community

Jul 03, 2025

At trailheads and online, 10,000 hikers signed WTA's petition and expressed their opposition to proposals to sell public lands. The effort by Washington’s hiking community helped secure an important victory and sent the message that public lands are not for sale.

Hiker Headlines: Cascade River, Paradise Valley roads open; more fire bans, trail closures; High Rock closure

Jul 03, 2025

Cascade River and Paradise Valley roads are open for the season; Sunrise Road is opening soon! Fire season is in full swing — the Pomas Fire has closed more trails, and campfires are now banned in North Cascades National Park and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Be aware of some upcoming closures, including the High Rock trail and lookout. And, Oregon State Parks has raised its prices for overnight camping.

Trip Report Roundup: Summer is here! Sunny weather, wildflowers and bugs, bugs everywhere

Jul 01, 2025

This weekend felt like summer across the state. The sun was shining, wildflowers were out (as were the bugs!) and hikers from all over hit the trails! Check out some of the fun trip reports folks wrote up about their adventures from over the weekend.

Hike-a-Thon is here — from custom sporks to cozy down, get a peek at this year’s prizes

Jun 30, 2025

Registration for WTA's annual Hike-a-Thon is officially open. This community fundraising event takes place throughout August and gives you the opportunity to raise funds for the public lands you love. Check out this year's Hike-a-Thon prizes — our way of thanking you for stepping up for trails!

Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, road to Artist Point reopening, more Entiat-area fire closures

Jun 26, 2025

Registration is open now for Hike-a-Thon! The Mount Baker Highway to Artist Point is fully reopening on Friday. The U.S. Forest Service is now offering the option to buy Northwest Forest Passes online. More trails have closed due to the Pomas Fire. And WTA has some open spots on an LGBTQ+ youth work party this summer.

How to decide if a single-walled tent is right for you

Have you been shopping for a shelter lately? With all the double-walled and single-walled options, it can feel in-tents. Here’s how to learn if a single-walled tent is right for you. By Joseph Gonzalez

Returning to the trail after a big change — one parent's story

I discovered hiking as an adult and fell in love. But I lost track of that passion after parenthood. Here’s how I found it again — and how I’m getting out more than ever. By Sarah Nordstrom

Hiker Headlines: Washington Trails Day, public lands at risk, Entiat-area fire, Lake 22 closure

Jun 18, 2025

This Saturday is Washington Trails Day, a day to celebrate trails and take action to protect them. The potential for public lands sales is in the news. The Lake 22 trail will be closed on weekdays starting July 15 for trail maintenance, and Mystery Bay State Park will be closed for a month for renovations. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Our national public lands are in crisis

The administration’s actions are making it nearly impossible for the U.S. Forest Service and other land managers to do their jobs, leaving hikers less safe and reducing access to public lands. By Jaime Loucky.

Cutting-edge saw training: How WTA is sharing skills statewide

Cutting timber is a specialty task. Without sawyers, we wouldn't be able to create and maintain trails that last the test of time. That's why WTA's saw program and professional services are being tapped to help train sawyers statewide. By Joseph Gonzalez

WTA celebrates a big win with a ribbon cutting on a revamped local trail

Jun 17, 2025

Neighbors, WTA staff and volunteers, and City of Everett staff gathered recently to celebrate the official opening of Loganberry Lane, a revamped trail system in Everett. "If you want to see a big variety of what you can do on a WTA work party, this is it."

Hike-a-Thon: Uniting hikers to make a difference

Jun 16, 2025

Every August, hikers come together to support WTA during Hike-a-Thon, our annual community fundraiser. But it's more than just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity for participants to join a community, spend time outdoors and make a difference for the trails they love. We talked to a few Hike-a-Thoners to learn why they participate.

Use your voice: Our national public lands are not for sale

Jun 15, 2025

This year, leaders across the federal government have proposed selling our national public lands — to give them away for development, open them to resource extraction or use them to generate revenue. You can help protect public lands by adding your voice to WTA’s petition.

Hiker Headlines: Gold Creek Pond summer closure, early fire season, free day

Jun 11, 2025

Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day, and parking will be free at national forests. Wildfire season is here, and Mount Rainier National Park and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest now have fire bans. A landslide on Albion Hill Road is making the road difficult to navigate. Gold Creek Pond is closed for the summer. And it was hot last weekend — folks really got outside!

Post 84 helps hundreds of high schoolers get outside every year

Jun 11, 2025

Post 84, a partner with WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program since 2018, helps teenaged campers from the Puget Sound area get outside by offering more than a dozen camping trips a year. WTA's gear library makes it possible for even more teens to attend the trips.

Night lights: how to illuminate your next hike

A headlamp is a must-have — and just the start of lighting options to make your next trip fun and cozy. By Sandra Saathoff

Public lands are places of belonging. We cannot stand to lose them

In a time of disconnection, national public lands connect us — back to ourselves, to our loved ones, to the natural world and to everyone with whom we share these places. By Linnea Johnson.

Hiker Headlines: Icicle Creek, Stehekin areas closed; Rainier reservations; free weekend

Jun 05, 2025

The Icicle Creek area near Leavenworth and the Stehekin area in North Cascades National Park are closed for an active law enforcement operation. This is a fee-free weekend on state lands! A batch of Mount Rainier timed-entry reservations will be released this Friday, June 6. A couple of fun events are this Saturday: a talk on Spokane hikes and a celebration of a new trail segment opening.