Putting Lost Trails Back on the Map

We need boots on the ground now to bring these trails back into hiking shape.

Miles of trails into Washington’s wild and remote landscapes are not receiving the maintenance they need. These routes have been, or are at risk of, being lost. We need boots on the ground now to bring these trails back into hiking shape.

Through our summer Backcountry Response Teams, we send hundreds of volunteers into stunning backcountry locations for 3 - 8 day stretches throughout the summer.

In 2021, WTA piloted our first paid, backcountry professional trail maintenance crew to focus on remote projects in three major Wilderness areas in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: Glacier Peak, Pasayten, and Lake Chelan/Sawtooth.

This crew was able to reach deeper sections of the wilderness than WTA’s standard backcountry volunteer opportunities. Oftentimes, a hike into the Pasayten will take a full day — if not more — which limits the amount of work our volunteer crews can accomplish.

We've accomplished so much on backcountry trails since 2021. Check out this interactive storymap to see how WTA has restored trails in the Pasayten.

Stories from Lost Trails

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.

Clearing the Way for Summer Adventures: Where We've Worked so Far

Jun 20, 2022

Spring is an exciting time at WTA. The snow is melting, the flowers are blooming and our intrepid backcountry volunteers make their way out on trail to begin clearing the path for summer.

Lost Trails Found Crews Bring Big Boost to Backcountry Trails

Jun 03, 2022

This summer, WTA will be leading two six-person crews into the backcountry to tackle some of our biggest projects.

Where We’re Needed Most: How WTA Decides Where We Work

There's a lot to consider when we decide where to work on trail around the state. By Jessi Loerch

Three Trips WTA's Lost Trails Found Work Made Possible

Feb 25, 2022

Over the years, we have loved seeing hikers return to some of the notoriously rough and difficult-to-navigate trails that we've prioritized in our Lost Trails Found work. We take a look at three trips that benefited from trail maintenance and advocacy efforts.

Preview: WTA's 2022 Volunteer Backcountry Trip Schedule

Feb 04, 2022

It's only February, but Washingtonians know that the short, gray days mean it's primo planning season. Have you considered adding a WTA backcountry trip to your 2022 adventure schedule? You should. Here's why.

Planning for the Future of Trails Means Planning for Fires

Dec 17, 2021

Not every landscape or wildfire is the same. Depending on how hot the fire burns, there are different impacts to the environment. Just as each fire and landscape is unique, the on-the-ground response can be just as varied.

WTA’s First Pro Crew Found a Path Forward for Trails — and Themselves

Our backcountry pro crew cleared many miles of trail this summer. And for the members of the crew, the season helped clear a new path forward, too. By Zack Sklar

Volunteers Connect the Dots on the Pacific Northwest Trail

Oct 20, 2021

During our 2021 summer season, our volunteers worked on 11 unique sections of the Pacific Northwest Trail, working across the state to keep this oft-remote route up to national scenic trail standards.