Signpost Blog

"This little newsletter has been an experiment so far, testing a hunch I've had that such a means of communication among walkers is needed." — Signpost magazine, 1966.

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Hiker Headlines: Olympic National Park permits, share your support for the Roadless Rule

Apr 09, 2026

Olympic National Park permits for the summer season will be available starting April 15. You’re invited to a community meeting to provide public comments on the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, sponsored by WTA and other conservation and recreation organizations. Washington State Parks now has same-day camping reservations at all campgrounds. And join the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on April 25!

Re-organization and massive budget cuts, including 64% cut to trail maintenance, could break the U.S. Forest Service

Apr 09, 2026

New plans to move the headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service, eliminate regional offices and massively cut trail maintenance funding increase risks to the public lands we love and rely on.

Hiker Headlines: WTA is hiring, trail photos and live music, trail reroute complete

Apr 02, 2026

WTA is still hiring for our summer professional trail work crew! Join us on April 24 for a night of music and beautiful nature photography at Crescendo, a collaboration between WTA and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. King County Parks has announced the opening of a reroute of the Licorice Fern trail on Cougar Mountain. And it’s nearly rattlesnake season.

A guide to hiking with your pet (rock) in Washington

Apr 01, 2026

The latest trail companion trend is sure to rock your hiking socks.

Hiker Headlines: Dog Mountain permit season soon, Hiker Happy Hour, Highway 20 spring clearing starts

Mar 26, 2026

Join WTA in Ellensburg on April 2 for a fun Hiker Happy Hour! It’s almost Dog Mountain hiking permit season. There’s an emergency closure on the Palouse to Cascades Trail near Lake Easton. And Olympic National Forest has released their campground schedule for the 2026 season. WSDOT has started clearing the North Cascades Hwy.

Dog mountain permits available now, to be required starting April 11 in 2026

Mar 26, 2026

Permits for Dog Mountain in 2026 are on sale March 15. If you drive to the trailhead on Saturday, Sundays or on Memorial Day between April 11 and June 7, you will need a Dog Mountain permit in addition to a Northwest Forest Pass.

Big flood, strong response: Kicking off a season of critical trail repairs

Mar 20, 2026

The winter storms of December 2025 left exceptional damage across the state. Countless trails were buried under debris and unsafe to access. In some places, restoration couldn’t wait. WTA crews were called in for a rapid response to rescue the trail leading from the Cispus Learning Center to Curtain Falls.

Hiker Headlines: Closures on Highway 20, at Heybrook Ridge Park and state parks

Mar 19, 2026

Several closures are in place after recent storms and other issues, including on Highway 20 and multiple state parks. Heybrook Ridge Park is also closed for a few months for construction. Cascade Backcountry Alliance is asking you to share your experience winter recreating in the Snoqualmie Pass region. And, keep an eye out for the Washington State Department of Ecology's new mascot for their "We Keep WA Litter Free" campaign.

Facing a budget deficit, legislators cut funding for state parks and recreation lands

Mar 17, 2026

Washington state’s legislative session ended on March 12. Facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, budget writers made difficult decisions, including cuts to funding for the upkeep and care of our state parks and other state recreation lands.

Trip report: Bringing the concerns of hikers to Washington D.C.

Mar 13, 2026

Washington Trails Association has a long history of bringing people together to protect recreational lands. Part of that work is advocating at the federal level. WTA was in Washington D.C. last week talking with federal officials and lawmakers about the importance of trails, access to the outdoors and preserving our wild and iconic places.

Hiker Headlines: Forest Service to hire seasonal staff, Free Day, join us on trail

Mar 12, 2026

The Forest Service has ended their seasonal staff hiring freeze, and will be hiring up to 2,000 staff this year! March 19, is Washington State Parks’ 113th birthday, and parking fees will be waived on state-managed lands. North Cascades National Park has announced emergency reconstruction plans for Company Creek Road after funding availability. And, join us on trail this summer!

For first time since 2024, Forest Service hires seasonal trails staff

Mar 11, 2026

After a hiring freeze that began in the fall of 2024, the U.S. Forest Service is hiring up to 2,000 seasonal staff across the country this year. Hiring seasonal workers is particularly critical after last year’s cuts to regular Forest Service staff.

WTA leads careful planning to create better outdoor experiences northeast of Mount Rainier

Mar 06, 2026

WTA is taking action to keep trails accessible in Snoquera, outside Mount Rainier National Park. We are working with a group of passionate recreation and conservation groups to breathe life into the area’s trails. Our goal is to create a future where Snoquera trails are long-lasting, well-built and maintained and easy to access.

Hiker Headlines: Now hiring, WTA in D.C., free day, wet weekend weather

Mar 05, 2026

WTA is in Washington, D.C., this week to advocate for more funding and protections for our public lands. We're also hiring! Next Monday is Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday, and parking fees will be waived on state-managed lands. And prepare for a rainy and snowy weekend.

'An incredible accomplishment' — How WTA helped get 20K kids outside

Mar 04, 2026

WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program has supported over 20,000 youth experiences thanks to our gear libraries and funding assistance.

Hiker Headlines: North Cascades permit lottery, no timed entry permits at Mount Rainier in 2026, Suiattle River Road closure

Feb 26, 2026

The lottery for backcountry camping permits in North Cascades National Park opens on March 2. Mount Rainier National Park has announced it is not requiring timed entry permits in 2026. The Suiattle River Road has an official closure order in place due to flood damage. And there’s only a few days left to enter WTA’s Golden Roll trip report giveaway!

Hiker Headlines: Register for WTA backcountry trips, Hiker Happy Hours, WTA is hiring

Feb 19, 2026

In WTA’s world: Registration for backcountry trail work parties opens this Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m., we’re hiring for a Central Puget Sound trail crew leader and we hope you’ll join us for a youth spring break camp and some of our Hiker Happy Hours coming up soon!

Together, we’ve changed state trails for the good

Feb 17, 2026

Here are three major ways WTA has shaped how our state cares for its public lands — with the help of nonprofit partners, champions in the state legislature and people like you.

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier, Enchantments lotteries open; free day; WTA symphony event

Feb 12, 2026

The Mount Rainier early access permit lottery is open and the Enchantments permit lottery opens on Feb. 15. Monday is Presidents’ Day and parking fees will be waived on federal lands. Join WTA and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra at our third annual Crescendo symphony event in Seattle on April 24. And, a big thanks for the over 1,200 of you who have spoken up for public lands the last few months!

Hiker Headlines: Golden Roll trip report giveaway; Cape Disappointment, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest closures

Feb 05, 2026

Enter WTA’s Golden Roll trip report giveaway! And there are a few road closures in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as well as a partial closure at Cape Disappointment State Park.

How a WTA training helped Snohomish County trails

Feb 03, 2026

Washington Trails Association and Snohomish County have been working together regularly since 2021. That partnership has grown through the years and, thanks to training from WTA, county park rangers have gained news skills to help them care for the county's trails.