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: Input For Trails, Fire Season, GAOA Signed Into Law

Aug 05, 2020

It’s August 6. With the celebration of Washington Trails Day and the Great American Outdoors Act being signed into law, trails have been in the spotlight this week. Land managers across the state are looking for community input on a variety of proposed projects. And it’s the season of fires and road construction, so check conditions and plan ahead to avoid inconvenient delays.

We Need Trails, on Washington Trails Day and Every Day!

Aug 05, 2020

This Washington Trails Day — our state's official holiday for trails — we asked our community why they need trails. Here's what you told us.

Inspiration and Advice for Getting Out on Trail with Kids

Jul 31, 2020

Time on trail with kids can create magical memories that last a lifetime. Here are some tips from members of our community on how to get out with your own kids.

Hiker Headlines: We Want to Hear From You, Trails Rebooted, SOAR Act

Jul 30, 2020

It’s July 30. We’d like to hear your thoughts on a couple things. We’re celebrating some Trails Rebooted wins this year. And we’re excited to see the SOAR act moving ahead in Congress. Here’s some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.

Nature on Trail: River Otter and Mountain Bog Gentian

Jul 29, 2020

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the river otter and mountain bog gentian, and where you can find them.

Tell Us About It: What Do You Think of the Mountain Loop Highway?

Jul 28, 2020

The Mountain Loop Highway has a ton of recreation options but needs investment to improve visitor experience and environmental help. Tell us what you like about hiking here and help shape the future of this gorgeous place.

Excited to be Back to Work on Trails Rebooted

Jul 27, 2020

WTA staff and volunteers have begun a gradual return to the field under new guidelines for COVID-19. Work parties are small affairs these days, and we still have restrictions on experience required to participate (under normal circumstances we love to welcome new volunteers on our trips!). But we're continuing to work with our agency partners to assess additional projects and an expanded schedule.

Rebooting a Trail for the Future

Jul 24, 2020

Sharpe Park is just one example of how we’re improving trails in popular areas.

Hiker Headlines: Big News for Public Lands, Goats Fly, Borrow a Discover Pass, Cover Your Face

Jul 23, 2020

The Great American Outdoors Act, a critical piece of legislation for public lands, passed Congress this week. Mountain goats are flying via helicopter from the Olympic mountains to their new home in the Cascades. Libraries across the state are reopening and offering Discover Passes for checkout. And, yes, face coverings are still an essential part of your trail attire: keep bringing them and keep wearing them when passing other folks. Here’s some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.

Making Nature Accessible in Urban Areas

Jul 23, 2020

See how WTA is working with local neighborhoods and King County Parks to bring a new urban green space and trails to Seattle.

Victory! Congress Approves Vital Funding for Public Lands

Jul 22, 2020

The Great American Outdoors Act has passed the Senate and the House. With full funding for the Land and Water Conversation Fund and $9.5 billon for the backlog of maintenance on federal lands, the Great American Outdoors Act is a historic piece of public lands legislation. Thank you for helping to make it happen!

Shaping the Future of Recreation in Snoquera

Snoquera offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation | By Christina Hickman

Building Trail Smart Hikers in 2020

Jul 17, 2020

From a nationwide coalition to an email series, we're helping hikers learn responsible hiking skills in innovative ways in 2020.

Hiker Headlines: Write Your Representative, Latino Conservation Week, Comet, Rainier Q&A

Jul 16, 2020

It's July 16. Please write to your House member right now to support the Great American Outdoors Act. Latino Conservation Week kicks off soon. We have some tips on where you can hike to see the comet. And Mount Rainier's superintendent answers some questions about this summer.

Trails Forever: Building a Sustainable Trail System That Will Stand the Test of Time

What it takes to build a healthy, durable trail system. By Jessi Loerch

What to Expect at Mount Rainier This Summer: Q&A With Rainier's Superintendent

Jul 10, 2020

WTA staff recently sat down — over Zoom — with Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park, to gain some behind the scenes insight on what we can expect at the park this year.

Hiker Headlines: Act Now for Public Lands, Coronavirus, Online Events

Jul 09, 2020

It's July 9. If you act now, you can help public lands get vital funding for years to come. WTA joined partners for an exciting talk about the value of time outside, and how we can help more people enjoy time in nature. Coronavirus continues to disrupt some outdoors services. And we have ideas for a few — remote — events to celebrate the outdoors. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.

Helping Disabled People Find Belonging Outdoors

Accessibility can benefit everyone who spends time on trail | By Syren Nagakyrie

Taking Hikes, Building Friendships

Jul 07, 2020

When she was brand-new to Washington, time on trails helped Kayla Nunez find her new community.

Low Snow, High Peaks and Big Views: Summer's Coming to Washington

Jul 06, 2020

The long weekend inspired a lot of you to get outside. Trip reports show everything from backyard to backcountry, and a lot of you headed to some standby areas for adventure: the Mountain Loop Highway, Snoquera, and the Teanaway, part of WTA's Trails Rebooted campaign.

Hiker Headlines: Fire Safety, Hike-a-Thon, Inclusive Trails, National Park Re-openings

Jul 02, 2020

It's July 2. We all need to keep safety in mind right now — from fires to fireworks. And while we're at it, let's also keep each other safe and welcome everyone on trail. You can now register for WTA's Hike-aThon! National parks continue to open up more options for exploring. And a bill in Congress offers some good news for road access to trailheads. Here's some news you might have missed wile out on trail this week.

#RecreateResponsibly: Creating a Safe, Welcoming Outdoors for All

Jul 01, 2020

We all have to work together to keep each other safe from the dangers of COVID-19. But we also can work together to keep each other safe in another, vital way.

Caring for Trails, Caring for People

Jun 29, 2020

It’s hard to imagine what WTA would look like without the McKibben family, and even harder to overstate Craig’s impact. From volunteering with our trail maintenance program, to serving as our board president, and even filling in as interim executive director.

Camping in Washington This Summer: What You Need to Know

Jun 26, 2020

Not sure how and where to go camping this year? We spoke to land managers across the state and gathered information to make your planning easier.

Books to Cultivate a Sense of Wonder in Nature — Wherever You Are

Jun 26, 2020

Reading can help you look at the world in a whole new way. Here are some books, for kids to adults, to get you started.

Hiker Headlines: Rainier Backpacking, Two Surveys and Bipartisan Chats

Jun 25, 2020

It's June 25. You can apply for backcountry permits at Mount Rainier. Two surveys give you a chance to share your opinions. And REI's CEO and two senators recently spoke about the bipartisan support for public lands. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail recently.

Making Connections: How Small Trails Can Make a Big Difference

Small trails can have a big impact in creating a healthy trail system that lets people explore from backyards to the backcountry. By Anna Roth

Hiker Headlines: Standing Against Racism, Juneteenth, Enchantments Delays, Public Lands Bill

Jun 18, 2020

It's June 18. WTA commits to standing against racism. Juneteenth is tomorrow, here are a few ways to honor the day. Expect major delays if you're hiking the Enchantments soon. And funding for public lands is making progress in Congress.

Using Science to Make Getting Outside Easier

Jun 15, 2020

What keeps people from getting outside? What are the barriers that make it hard to spend time on trail? Those are the questions that social scientists from the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station are trying to answer.

Apps WTA is Loving Right Now

Jun 14, 2020

Apps on our phone are not only a way to connect to each other, they’re also a way to connect to nature. Right now, our phones are a lifeline for many to the broader world and the people we love. They can also serve as a bit of necessary rest and a way to connect with the natural world. From flora and fauna to running and, of course, hiking, here are some apps that WTA staff members are loving right now.