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

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.

Fun moments from backcountry work parties

Feb 23, 2024

Yeah, we work hard and get a lot done on our backcountry work parties, but we have a lot of fun too!

Know Thyself: The First Rule of Backcountry Safety

Whether you’ve been adventuring for a few days or a few decades, you can always learn more about staying safe. By Loren Drummond

Hiker Headlines: Snow coming, avalanche safety event, trip reporting prizes, WTA survey

Feb 22, 2024

It's Feb. 22. Brace for a winter storm this weekend. While you're weathering it, you can sign up for our backcountry trips on Saturday morning, and complete our community survey, which closes on Sunday. And next week marks the end of the Enchantments lottery period as well as our #lovelocaltrails promotion. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Volunteering with WTA helped me explore new places and make new friends

Volunteering with WTA isn't just a way to give back to trails. For one volunteer, it is an opportunity to build community. By Kathy McLean

WTA visits Washington, D.C., to ask for the funding trails and hikers need

Feb 20, 2024

WTA is advocating for Congress to pass the Transit to Trails Act, which would create a federal grant program to fund more public transportation to trailheads. More than 1,640 people have signed a WTA petition to express their support for this bill. Michael Decramer, WTA’s policy and planning manager, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to deliver those petition signatures and to participate in the 27th annual Hike the Hill.

8 tips for land-based whale watching

Feb 16, 2024

Washington has some of the best land-based whale watching opportunities in the United States. Celebrating International Whale Day on Feb. 18 we are sharing with a few tips on best practices for land-based whale watching.

Hiker Headlines: Rainier and Enchantments lotteries open, WTA launches snow layer, volunteer backcountry trip preview

Feb 15, 2024

Lotteries for early access to permits for Mount Rainier and the Enchantment have opened. WTA's volunteer backcountry trips will be available to preview tomorrow and Mount Rainier’s timed-access reservations open next week. Some closures might affect your hiking plans this week. Plus, we just launched a snow depth layer on our Hike Finder Map to help you plan your weekend.

How an introductory backcountry work party helped one volunteer feel more comfortable backpacking

Feb 14, 2024

Jess Wolf had never been backpacking before signing up for a 3-day intro BCRT work party. Not only did she gain more trail work experience that weekend, but she left with the confidence to take on more backpacking trips afterward.

Seven tips to stay warm hiking on cold days

Feb 09, 2024

What you wear, the food you choose and even where you sit to take a break — they all make a difference to staying comfortable when hiking in winter.

Four Hot Drink Ideas for Winter Hikes

Feeling chilly? Warm-up with these hot drink hacks. By Jessi Loerch

Hiker Headlines: Backcountry permit season starting, winter hiking bingo

Feb 08, 2024

Backcountry permit season starts next week. Submit your winter hiking bingo card to us this week for a chance to win a WTA thermos. Be aware of a couple of closures when planning your hikes this week. Buy your tickets now for a symphony event celebrating Washington’s landscapes. Plus, happy Lunar New Year and happy Valentine’s Day!

8 ways hikers are benefitting from critical federal funding

Feb 07, 2024

WTA was thrilled in 2020 when we rallied our hiking community and joined with partners to help pass the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). Here’s some of the work that the GAOA has supported in Washington state, from 2021 through 2023, to help support millions of outdoor experiences.

Western Washington Honda Dealers: A True Partner for Trails and WTA

Feb 06, 2024

We're grateful to have Western Washington Honda Dealers as a corporate partners with shared values around community and the outdoors. Here's the incredible impact they had on our work in 2023. By Brynna Counts-Morgan

WTA Trailhead Ambassadors: Here for You on Trails

Feb 05, 2024

WTA and partners put ambassadors at trailheads all across the state in 2023. Learn where they connected with hikers and how they built a safer, more responsible hiking community. By Nicole Masih-Théberge

The Bill Murray approach to winter safety — 5 habits worth repeating on every winter hike

Feb 02, 2024

You don’t have to get stuck in a time loop to learn how to enjoy winter hiking and stay safe along the way.

Hiker Headlines: #LoveLocalTrails giveaway, North Cascades permit fee changes, Forest road hazards

Feb 01, 2024

Take part in our #LoveLocalTrails giveaway in this February! Join WTA and Pierce County Parks to learn more about safe winter recreation virtually on Feb. 17. North Cascades National Park is implementing a new permit fee structure in March of this year. Be aware of a couple of road hazards in Olympic National Forest this week, as well as delays on SR 18 next to Tiger Mountain if you’ve got any sunrise or sunset hiking plans.

The work is easier when we do it together

Jan 31, 2024

WTA is fortunate to have many partners who help us get work done: members, volunteers, advocates, community partners and land agencies. A big part of our work is also made possible by corporate partners. These businesses step up to help trails by donating their time, products and proceeds to support WTA’s work. Here’s a look at three of the over 20 companies that generously support our work for trails for everyone, forever.

WTA welcomes 2024 Emerging Leaders in the outdoor industry

Jan 30, 2024

The fourth Emerging Leaders cohort is gearing up for 14 weeks of trail maintenance work and professional development, their schedules packed with on-the-ground field projects, meetings with local outdoor community members, professional workshops and more.

Five ways to connect with WTA in 2024

Jan 29, 2024

It can be overwhelming to consider all of your options for getting outside. WTA has a little something for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors, so here are five ways to stay connected with WTA this year.

Unique ways to donate to trails this year

Jan 26, 2024

From monthly gifts to creative investments, here are five ways to financially support trails in 2024 and beyond.

Urban Trails Become Winter Wonderlands

Suggestions for finding hikes near you, even in the dark, wet winter months. By Craig Romano

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier Timed Reservations, WTA is Hiring, Closures and Road Blockages

Jan 26, 2024

Mount Rainier National Park recently announced a reservation system required for entrance for most vehicles this spring and summer. WTA is hiring crew leaders for this summer. Be aware of some state park closures and road blockages. And WTA was highlighted in a series about activism and community from Osprey!

What you need to know to visit Mount Rainier National Park this summer

Jan 24, 2024

Mount Rainier National Park recently announced that reservations will be required for entrance to the park for those driving through the Nisqually, Stevens Canyon and White River entrances during the spring and summer of 2024.

Get Ready for Summer Volunteer Trips with WTA

Jan 22, 2024

May we suggest saving room in your summer for a backcountry trip with WTA? They're multi-night volunteer trail work parties that run from March to late September. If you'd like to join us, here's what you need to know to make sure you're ready when trip registration opens.

How One Revolutionary Idea Changed Winter Trail Work Parties in Eastern Washington

Jan 22, 2024

All work parties in Eastern Washington used to go into hibernation during the wintertime, when everything is frozen and covered in snow. That all changed 5 years ago, when Eastern Washington crew leader Jane Baker proposed snowshoe work parties.

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier Access, WTA Hiring, Free Science Talks

Jan 18, 2024

Mount Rainier is piloting a system this summer that will limit entry to the park. WTA is hiring for a Central Washington position. Be aware of a couple of closures that might affect your hiking plans. And join the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and Yakima Valley College for their free Winter Talks.

WDFW plans 10 years into the future, starting with mule deer in the Methow

Jan 17, 2024

Balancing conservation and access is a process that requires intention. WDFW’s 10-year Recreation Strategy brings a new focus on recreation to their decisions about WDFW lands. One example of that is the work to protect mule deer in the Methow.

Get Outside with Winter Hiking Bingo

Jan 12, 2024

Play Winter Hiking Bingo for the chance to win WTA swag!

Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Now Hiring, Deception Pass Closures, Freezing Weekend

Jan 11, 2024

Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and parking fees are waived in some areas. WTA is hiring! Share your thoughts with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources as they develop a statewide recreation plan. Be aware of some closures at Deception Pass State Park due to storm damage. And we’ve got a very cold weekend coming.