Like hiking, state and national parks? Then do something about it!

Perhaps you took a stroll through the day trails of Mt. Rainier this summer, hiked the Olympic Mountains or discovered one of the U-District's beautiful forest mirages somehow hidden in the urban landscape (Cowen Park, anyone?). But have you ever thought of how those trails are maintained?

One word: volunteers. That's right, fellow hikers who love the trails and want to keep them strong are out there working all year round. Volunteers help maintain everything from Seattle Parks to National Parks.

They are called work parties... and really are just that! Volunteers work to repair the trails, but work party leaders ensure that the volunteers have a good time as well. The Washington Trails Association states, "Saftey first, Fun second and work third." They want you to keep coming back, so they treat you right! After volunteering at two work parties, you receive an annual Trail Park Pass free. These work parties usually include a two mile+ hike with a bit of physical labor.