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

Having Fun on Trail: Work Party Selfies!

Sep 23, 2022

Trail work can be hard and tiring, but WTA trail crews also know how to have fun. Just check out all the smiles, silliness and selfies from our work parties!

Creating Even Better Hiking for the Port Gamble Forest

Sep 22, 2022

An effort is underway to protect critical areas within the Port Gamble Forest. The area is popular with hikers and many other outdoor enthusiasts. The work is a continuation of earlier work to protect a large section of forest.

Hiker Headlines: Now Hiring, Free Day, Bridge Replacement Project

Sep 22, 2022

WTA is hiring! A big thanks to everyone who joined us for Hike-a-Thon this August! This Saturday is National Public Lands Day; parking fees will be waived in some areas, and some celebration events will be held. A bridge replacement project in the Black Diamond Open Space will cause some closures in the area this October. And, make sure to check wildfire statuses and the air quality index if you're heading out this weekend.

Hike-a-Thon 2022: A Recap with Miles the Marmot

Sep 21, 2022

Miles the Marmot here! I'm sharing the final numbers for WTA's 19th annual Hike-a-Thon. What a great year — all thanks to our hikers! Join us next year for the 20th anniversary of Hike-a-Thon.

Let’s Play: King County Coalition Comes Together to Get Youth Outside

Sep 20, 2022

King County Play Equity Coalition is a network of organizations dedicated to making changes that make it easier for young people in all communities to move their bodies outside — and to get all of the benefits that come with play.

Better Gear, Smaller Footprint

How gear companies are using innovation to leave a lighter impact on the world. By Jessi Loerch

Hiker Headlines: Reopenings, Construction Closures and Wildfires Continue

Sep 15, 2022

Snow Lake and Ruby Beach have both reopened after a summer of construction work! A couple of trails in Beacon Rock State Park will be closed next week for an improvement project. And, wildfires continue to burn throughout the state. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Three Cheers for First-Time Trip Reporters! 🙌

Sep 14, 2022

Trip reporters are a big part of what makes the Washington hiking community so special. Here's some of our favorite recent trip reports.

Trip Reporters Celebrate Southwest Washington Trails and Volunteers

Sep 12, 2022

WTA is hard at work improving and building trails in Southwest Washington. Get the latest updates and learn how you can support trails in this region of the state.

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.

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