Accomplishments

Since 1966, Washington Trails Association has been working to protect trails and increase hiking opportunities in Washington state.

Washington Trails Association's recent accomplishments:

: WTA lobbied for additional funds for DNR lands during the 2007 legislative session in Olympia.

Provided intensive maintenance to the Stuart and Colchuck Lakes trails, rehabilitated a trail at Cape Disappointment, constructed a new trail along Iller Creek near Spokane, and logged-out the Duckabush River trail, among others. More than 1650 people joined WTA on a work party and WTA's Volunteer Vacations program reached trails from the Methow Valley to Mt. Rainier.
Redesigned Washington Trails magazine and WTA's website to make it easier to find information about hiking in Washington. The magazine was redesigned to incorporate larger photos, more maps and new navigation. The website strengthened its online hiking guide and trip reports to include greater searchability, more maps and more information.
Expanded WTA's Youth programs and engaged nearly 500 youth volunteers on day trips and week-long volunteer vacations.
Helped secure $500,000 for trail stewards pilot program on trails managed by the Department of Natural Resources.

Increased funding for DNR lands by advocating to double allocation of DNR Natural Resource Conservation Areas.
Provided more than 77,000 hours of volunteer service on trails, with more than 1,850 volunteers spending at least a day with us helping trails.
Completed new construction of a family-friendly 1.3 mile trail at Beaver Lake Preserve near the City of Sammamish.
Hosted 9 Volunteer Vacations for youth with 71 participating teenagers for a week of trail maintenance in a team-building, wilderness environment.

Created an online storm damage map and database for hikers to track trails damaged or inaccessible due to fierce winter storms in 2006.

Debuted our Signpost Blog, providing hikers with breaking news and hike suggestions, and encouraging hikers to post their thoughts on everything from trail etiquette to funding.
Opened the new Greg Ball Trail at Wallace Falls State Park. Built by dozens of volunteers, most in their teens, the opening celebration was kicked off with an inaugural hike.
Successfully fought a slew of bad bills before the state legislature that would have compromised the wilderness quality of several important hiking trails.
Released our Hike It guide to draw public attention to ten of our state's threatened trails and wilderness areas, including Gothic Basin and the Rachel Lake Trail.

Support these accomplishments (and many more) with a gift today. Donate.