Hiking Guidebook

By John D'Onofrio

Have you ever sat atop a sun-drenched mountain, day dreaming about becoming a hiking guidebook author and composing a wonderful description of the hike in your head?  Have you wished that there was a place where you could find a good description of a special backpack route, loop hike or climbing route?

If so, look no further than Washington Trails Association's Hiking Guidebook. 

Use the Guidebook

Check the Guidebook, in addition to Trip Reports and Road & Trail Conditions, before you head out hiking. 

Not seeing your trail or route?  If you have the time, please consider writing your own entry.  The Guidebook is a "wiki" - it relies on people like you to create the entries and update them. 

• Search Guidebook for hikes and routes.
• Browse the list of Guidebook entries.
• Write a Guidebook entry.
• Edit a Guidebook entry by going to the trail description and clicking on the edit links.

About the Guidebook

What goes in a Guidebook Entry?  How do I write one and how does it differ from a Trip Report?

• A Guidebook entry is a detailed hiking guide-style description of a favorite hiking route.
• It can cover one trail or describe a trip that covers several trails.
• It should include a complete description of the trail and directions on how to get there. 
• It can be edited if you see details that are missing or in error.
• It should not include details about your recent trip.  You should write in the third person, using "you" instead of "I" in your descriptions.
• It should be general in describing seasonal or temporary trail conditions.  For instance, "the creek often runs high in the spring," rather than "the creeks are high."  Or "blowdowns are common in this stretch of the trail," rather than "you'll find a blowdown 2 miles in."

If you'd like to write about your personal experiences on a hike or if you'd like to read about what others are encountering, please go to the Trip Reports.