Advancing Trail Smarts

Supporting trails is not just about the much-needed trail maintenance and additional investment. It’s also about hiker awareness, transportation access, trip-reported conditions and so much more. We need targeted education to improve on-trail experiences and help hikers discover brand-new adventures.

Supporting trails isn't just about doing trail maintenance and increased funding. It’s also about hiker awareness. Transportation, road access, trip-reported conditions and so much more all help make a healthy trail system.

All of this requires targeted education to improve your on-trail experiences and help you lessen your impact on the places you love. If you haven’t seen our Trail Smarts video series, now's a great time to check it out. These tools provide quick refreshers on some of the most important hiking best practices.

Fun fact: Trip reports aren't just good for planning your next hike. They are critical to land managers as they make decisions and plan for the future needs of hikers. Write one today!

EXPAND YOUR TRAIL SMARTS

Spring Skills: Tips for Hiking on Snow

Mar 06, 2013

Traveling safely across snow is an essential skill for many hikers and climbers—even in the spring and early summer months. Use the following tips from author and mountaineering educator Mike Zawaski to kick steps and travel more safety across snow fields in Washington.

How to Hike in Wolf Country

Hearing wolf song in the backcountry is an exciting—and unlikely—thrill. While you're unlikely to encounter a wolf on trail, it's still important to know how to hike in wolf country. Also, learn how to increase your chances of hear their song, and preventing conflicts with hiking dogs.

How to Hike in Bear Country

Seeing a bear while hiking can be an incredible thrill, but there are some key things to know about bears when you hike, camp, or live in bear country. Find out the how to hike in bear country and how to do if you encounter a bear.

Areas Closed by Wildfires Begin to Open

Oct 09, 2012

After almost a full month of fighting fires sparked by a lightning storm on Sept. 8, forest officials and fire managers have contained a majority of the wildfires and are reducing some area closures.

Mount Ellinor Stays Closed While Goats Retrained to Avoid People

Aug 31, 2012

Forest service officials are keeping Olympic National Forest’s Mount Ellinor Trail closed while they continue to monitor and address mountain goat-human interactions.

Washington Wildfires: Tips for Campers, Hikers

Aug 17, 2012

With two large wildfires burning, burn bans, poor air quality, hazy views and a forecast of hot weather all have the potential to impact hikers and campers this weekend. Learn why you may want to avoid hiking the Teanaway area and refresh your fire prevention skills.

National Forest Urges Safety after Glissading Accident

Jul 27, 2012

After two recent injuries, one to a climber glissading (intentionally sliding down a snow chute) on Mount St. Helens, Gifford Pinchot National Forest has issued a warning urging climbers to exercise caution on their descents.

Use Caution When Hiking in the Mountains

Nov 04, 2011

With the first major snow storm of the season the complexion of hiking in the mountains has changed. Hikers need to be prepared and use common sense. WTA has several late fall hiking tips to share.

Hike with Sure Footing

Sep 14, 2011

This summer several hikers have fallen to their deaths on the trail. In light of these tragedies, it is important to remind hikers to hike with sure footing. WTA provides some common sense tips to keep you safe.

What to do About Aggressive Mountain Goats?

Aug 18, 2011

Last October, Bob Boardman was hiking at Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park with his wife and a friend. It was a trail he hiked often, and on that trail, he regularly saw mountain goats, introduced to Washington's Olympic Mountains in the 1920s.

Signs of Spring: Water Everywhere

Apr 27, 2011

As the snow melts, water appears. Read WTA's spring hiking tips, then head out to one of Washington's spectacular waterfalls.

Bear attack prompts caution

Sep 21, 2010

How to stay safe when encountering a bear.

Hiking with Dogs in Washington: 5 Things You Need to Know

Hiking with a dog can help awaken your senses to the wonders of Washington's wild places. Your pups smell new smells and get tuckered out. And you have that extra incentive to get out of the house, hike to a beautiful destination and get great exercise.

Beat the heat on these hikes

Jul 08, 2010

Unusually high temperatures in Washington state have hikers running for shade! Here are some ideas for beating the heat.

Hiker Deaths Prompt Caution

Jul 02, 2010

Two hiker deaths in as many weeks provide a sobering reminder to exercise caution while hiking trails.