Washington Trails Magazine

Snowshoe Mount Baker: Take a trip to Artist Point and spend a night on the snow.
Hiking in Norway's Jotunheimen National Park: A nine-day tour of this magnificent national park.
Unlocking the Mysteries of WTA's Trail Maintenance Schedule: A look at how WTA decides which trail projects it will take on.
Prevent Hypothermia: How to recognize, prevent and treat this backcountry threat.
Top Ten For Trails - Amazing Volunteers: WTA benefits from great member and volunteer support. Here are ten of this year's stand-out stories.
Youth and Families - Games for the Snow: A few fun games and activities that make good use of that white stuff in the mountains.
A Look Ahead at the 2010 Legislative Session: Funding for Washington's Department of Natural Resources tops WTA's list of concerns
Gray Getaways: Keep your hiking spirit up in the rainy season and enjoy four trails that are perfect for rainy days.
Foul Weather Friends: Three rain jackets that work well for a range of conditions and activities.
Huckleberry Hikes and Bites: A huckleberry bounty: six hikes + one sweet recipe + one savory recipe
How to Do It - Ford a River: Techniques for crossing streams and rivers safely
Put a Spork in It: Allison Woods reviews backcountry diningg ware from pots and pans to sporks
Trail Maintenance - Taking Stock: Horses, mules and llamas pitch in to carry gear into the backcountry
Youth and Families - Introducing Ella: Ten-month-old Ella Davern has been hiking her whole life
Confessions of an Alpine Junkie: Dave Schiefelbein's photo essay covering a week in the Northern Picket Range
Exploring the Pasayten: A backpacking trip into the little-explored central Pasayten Wilderness
Oddball Tents: Four uniquely designed tents shake up the sleepy world of shelters
Accessible Trails: People with disabilities seek out hiking opportunities--but still face obstacles
Scrambling Daniel: A scramble up King County's highest peak offers astounding views
Hidden Wild: Journey to Washington's lesser-known wilderness areas for a change of pace
The "Paper Ranger": Ruth Kirk has built trails, written 37 books and served as a ranger at Olympic and Mount Rainer National Parks
Become an Activist!: How longtime hiking advocates began working for trails--and how you can too
East By Southwest: WTA expands its trail work schedule in Eastern and Southwest Washington
Seeking Flowers: A plant geek's trek to the high meadows of Olympic National Park
Backcountry Response Teams: WTA's BCRT trips take trail work deeper into wilderness
Hiking the Entiat: WTA's guide to a magnificent and threatened region
Do-It-All Packs: Three multi-purpose packs for day hikes or overnight trips
Easy Alpine Highs: The best short hikes to get your fix of alpine high country
Youth in the Outdoors: In a special section of Washington Trails, we offer tips and inspiration to get young people in the outdoors.
Red Rock, Blue Skies: A springtime escape to Sedona, Arizona, for red rock and vortexes
How to Hike With Poles: Take a load off your legs with a pair of hiking poles
Deep in the Canyons: Utah's Paria Canyon offers a trek into amazing slot canyons
Joys of High Camp: Scottish Lakes High Camp is a skier's and hiker's paradise
Safe Water Bottles: Three BPA-free metal bottles for the trail
Pulaskis and Borscht: A WTA member's excellent adventure building trails in Siberia
Another Fun Year for Trail Work: WTA volunteers donated over 80,000 hours of trail work across the state
Washington Trails 2008 Gift Guide: Your guide to great gifts for the special hikers in your life.
Rails to Trails: Taking the train to hikes and a backcountry lodge in Montana's Glacier National Park
On the Alert: Douglas squirrels, those noisy seed collectors of the deep forest.
A Path in the Woods: Trail standards differ, depending on users and landscape.
Summits in the Gorge: Four hikes in the Columbia Gorge to get you out on the trails this fall and winter.
Bus + Bike + Hike: A summer spent getting to trailheads by transit and mountain bike
Autumn Hikes: The pleasures of hiking during the turn of seasons
Working for Trails: Corporate trail work parties empower employees to give back to our wildlands
Cleaning Water: A new lightweight filter from MSR, plus other options for clear water
Finding the Herds: Not just hunters are fascinated with Washington’s elk
Sisters in Oregon: One of Oregon’s most renowned hikes loops through the Three Sisters Wilderness
A Sense of Wonder: The joys and challenges of hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail with kids
Lighten Up: Four lanterns to illuminate your backcountry campsite
The Bear Facts: The secret lives of black bears
A Royal Trip: A volunteer's tale of a WTA Backcountry Response Team to Royal Basin
Good as Gold: Golden Horn offers a treasure trove of climbing, skiing and hiking
High-Tech Hiking: Geocaching gets techies into the outdoors.
Cleaning the Coast: A volunteer’s story of flotsam and friends at the annual Coast Cleanup
Marmot Tales: Inside the life of those whistling kings of the alpine high country
Stoves for the Trail: We test three of the new lightweight canister stoves
Forest Service Plans for Dose: Three alternatives proposed for washed-out Dosewallips Road
Teen Power: Three teen girls bond on annual backpacking trips
Weekends in the North Cascades: WTA works on trails and helps build friendships in the Mount Baker region
Walking the Summit: A backpacking trip on the Chelan Summit Trail during fire season
Get Online and Outside: Web meet-up groups help hikers get together
High Still Air: The rich history of fire lookouts in Washington state
Great Overnights: Seven great backpacking trips to take this summer
Seeking Shelter: Three tents that will keep you and a friend dry in three seasons
Picture the Enchantments: Two writers' perspectives on the magical Enchantments region of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
A Shovel's Life: A shovel makes its way through WTA's trail maintenance program
Why are Trees Dying?: Spruce budworms and mountain pine beetles hit Cascade forests
Limiting the Damage: WTA Travels to Washington D.C. to speak up for responsible ORV management
Siberian Trails: Volunteers create a new organization to maintain trails around Russia’s Lake Baikal
Mountain Wildflowers: 57 common species in the Cascades and Olympics
A Full Summer of Work: WTA volunteers have many rewarding trail work projects to choose from this summer
The Lost Trail: An easy hike has turned into a major expedition, thanks to washouts
Day Packs: Four packs handle all your your stuff for the trail
The Quest for a Lake: After seeing a photo on WTA's website, a hiker seeks a lake in British Columbia
Footwear: Shoes, sandals, and socks for a variety of outdoor pursuits
Hiking Blind: Helping a friend without sight tackle Cascade summits
Peak Conditioning: Get yourself in shape so your next hike is a breeze
All-Season Jackets: Three jackets to keep you warm and toasty in all four seasons
Boys Discover Hiking: Seattle YBOYS program introduces boys to the wonders of the outdoors
Day Hiking Sun Valley: Sun Valley Idaho makes a great base for day hikes--and it's closer than you might think.
Hiking with Dogs: Tips, stories, etiquette and regulations for taking your canine companion on the trail.
Cool Shades: Six stylish sets of sunglasses to keep your eyes protected on the trail.
Sobriety, One Step at a Time: Outdoor 12-step recovery club has been helping people with addiction for 16 years
A Grand Traverse: New Zealand's Grand Traverse Track offers stunning scenery
The Forest For the Trees: Hiking in a forest ecosystem reveals more than just trees: an intricate web of interdependent nature.
Creating a First Aid Kit: Make sure you have all of the right items in your first aid kit in case you have a true first aid situation.
A Critter Returns: Fishers return to the Olympics, and martens can be spotted now
Digital Cameras: Nine lightweight digital cameras well-suited for the trail.
Coffee in the Backcountry: Coffee in the backcountry involves compromises.
Le Tour de Mont Blanc: Northwest hikers tackle a 6-day trek around Europe's highest peak.
Getting More from Sno-Park Passes: Now that passes are going up, how to get more for your money.
Mountain Frogs: A brief guide to the fascinating frogs of the Cascades and Olympics.
Escaping Gray Skies on the Klickitat: Hike or Bike a rails-to-trails gem in Southwest Washington
Snowshoeing St. Helens: How to snowshoe to the summit of the volcano, or take winter day trips in the monument.
WTA's Holiday Gift Guide 2007: We pick the best gifts for hikers this season.
The Kindness of Strangers: How generous hikers and search and rescue volunteers saved me.
Thanks for the Trail Memories: WTA’s most dedicated Red Sox fan moves on
Multi-tools for the Trail: We test four knife-gadgets for your pack
Exploring Wild Sky: Where to hike in Washington’s next wilderness
Serene Garibaldi Lake: Hiking one of the most beautiful trails in British Columbia
In the Line of Fire: A disturbing encounter raises issues of hiker safety on public lands
Bright and Shiny Gear at OR: Gear companies unveil their latest at the Outdoor Retailer show
Vanishing Glaciers: A scientist observes the disappearing glaciers of the Cascades
Meandering the Meadows: A trek to Dishpan Gap, Meander Meadow, and beyond.
Big Fun in Little Pend Oreille: WTA Volunteer Vacation builds new trail in Northeast Washington
Trees on the Trail: A color guide to trees of the Cascades and Olympics.
Summertime Sleeping Bags: Three bags to keep you warm, but not sweltering, this summer.
When Lightning Strikes: Staying safe during a storm in the backcountry
Swimming with Bears: A nine-day trip to Image Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness
Tents for a Party of One: Three tents and one bivy offer lightweight shelter for solo trekkers.
Backpacking 101: All you need to know to take your first overnight backpacking trip
Heaven in Hell's Canyon: Hiking two wilderness areas near Washington’s southeast corner
Rebuilding at Mount Rainier: WTA plans a full schedule of work at Mount Rainier through Labor Day
Boots for a Day or a Night: Midweight boots designed for day hikes and brief overnights
Mind Your Manners: A few simple rules to preserve that special wilderness experience
After the Storm: WTA has created four printable maps of storm-damaged roads and trails across the Cascades and Olympics.
Women's Lightweight Packs: Three new overnight packs designed specifically for women
Gals' Overnight Out: Backpacking the Hoh rainforest with eleven of my best friends
Answers to Women's Hiking Questions: WTA's Lauren Braden answers commonly asked questions
New Trails on the Peninsula: WTA weekday crews forge new trails at Miller Peninsula and beyond
We Survey Hiking Poles: Two brands of poles that will save your knees
The Hiker Quiz: Test your wilderness trivia knowledge!
Boots, Balsamroot and a Bottle of Syrah: Pairing fine hikes and fine wine in Yakima’s vineyard country
Getting to the Top is Optional: A Review of No Shortcuts to the Top, by Ed Viesturs
Finding the Perfect Underwear: Three brands of “technical” undies for hiking and winter recreation
Urban Hiking: Snow keeping you from the montains? Try a hike in the city.
A Truly Grand Canyon: Hiking into the eighth wonder of the world requires careful planning
Gear the Experts Use: Two gearheads trade notes on the stuff they can’t live without
Seeking Sun: The wonders of winter hiking in Arizona’s Superstition Wilderness
A Record Year!: WTA volunteers gave more than 74,000 hours of trail work in 2006
Washington Trails 2006 Holiday Gift Guide: What to give your favorite hikers for the holidays
After Pinnacle Lake: A special investigation four months after the murders at Pinnacle Lake looks at the issue of law enforcement on the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, the crime scene investigation and also talks with David Stodden.
Hiking Fiascos: Our readers share their stories of mishaps in the backcountry
Stairway to Heaven: Clear lakes, huckleberries and easy trails make Indian Heaven a delight
Choosing Trails to Work On: How WTA creates its work party schedule for the year
Mount St. Helens in Autumn: An overnight trip, day hike suggestions, and an account of a climb to the summit of St. Helens
Lowland Trails: Maintaining suburban trails just as important as the backcountry
Last Child in the Woods: A review of Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Alpine Fly Fishing: How and where to catch trout in the backcountry
The William O. Douglas Trail: A new 75-mile route celebrates the life of the justice and conservationist
British Columbia Hiking: So many reasons for hiking north of the border.
Traversing the Bailey Range: Solitude and scenery on Olympic National Park's premier high route
Greg Ball Trail Completed!: WTA youth crews build a fantastic new trail to Wallace Lake
Hiking "Round the Mountain": Exploring the slopes of the forgotten volcano: Mount Adams
Mountain Butterflies: Spotting butterflies on the wing in the Cascades and Olympics
Better Sleep On It: Four new sleeping pads offer different strategies for comfort
Where to Hike with Kids: A review of Joan Burton's "Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington and Cascades"
Backpacking Tents for a Crowd: Roomy, lightweight tents for families, friends and pets
Mad River Memories: Finding sanity in the Entiat Mountains; plus, how to find soft beds for day hiking adventures.
Alpine Lakes Reflections: Thoughts on the past, present and future of the popular wilderness
Getting to Know the Mountain: A journal from the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier
High-Tech Sandals: New technical sandals morph hiking boots with sandals
Hiking (Almost) Forever: Hiking beyond age 50: Take your time and pick your hikes carefully
Immersion Hiking: How to Spend 20 Summer Weekends on the Trail
Taking Stock: Horses, mules and llamas are essential to WTA’s backcountry trail crews
Backcountry Food: From gorp to gourmet, Washington Trails dishes up a special issue of recipes, taste tests, tips and after-hike grub to fuel your next hike.
Waterfalls: Searching for sublime waterfalls of the Cascades
Desert Bloom: Umtanum Ridge is at its best mid-April to mid-May
Breaking Trail at Beacon Rock: WTA volunteers start work on a new route in Southwest Washington
Light as the Wind: Five wind shirts offer decent rain protection and weigh very little
Hiking Place Names: The stories behind names in the backcountry.
Toleak by Moonlight: The sights and sounds of the Olympic wilderness coast in winter
How to Store Your Gear: A few hours of maintenance can extend the life of your hiking stuff
The Douglas Legacy: A review of The Footpaths of Justice William O. Douglas: A Legacy of Place
The Underwear to Wear: We test four sets of mid-weigh base layers
Ancient Trails: Hiking to Machu Picchu on Peru's Inca Trail
Refuge: Discovering the landscape of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Wild in Washington: WTA profiles all 30 Wilderness areas in the state, from a tiny island refuge to the vast expanse of Olympic National Park.
Building On Badger: Flocks of volunteers build a 1.2-mile trail in a new reserve outside Richland
Global Warming and Hiking Part 3: Driving Force: Let's admit it: hikers contribute to air pollution.
Global Warming and Hiking Part 2: Shrinking Glaciers, Dying Lichens: Pollution is destroyinh what we love about wilderness.
Global Warming and Hiking Part 1: Ozone Polluting the Cascades: Alarming levels of ozone at Mount Rainier may making hiking there bad for you.
Warm Up This Fall: Lightweight insulation that will keep you dry and toasty
A Tough Trip Over Easy Pass: Scenery, solitude and challenges in North Cascades National Park
Hiking Legends: WTA honors twelve elders who’ve made a huge difference for hiking and wilderness
A Sharp Lookout: Dodger Point Lookout provided eyes on the sky during World War II
Natural High: Exploring the Pacific Crest Trail north of Rainy Pass
Exploring the Urban Wilderness: A review of The Street-Smart Naturalist by David B. Williams
A Tough Job: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie trails coordinator faces many challenges
Packing It All In: We review two full-featured, lightweight overnight packs
Slowing Down in Holden Village: The remote hamlet of Holden offers an escape to new experiences
Wasting Time in the North Cascades: North Cascades National Park offers a wealth of challenging and rewarding overnight trips
Going Light: Slimming down your gear to go faster and farther
Home Away from Home: WTA tests four 3-season tents, from heavy to lightweight
Way Out West: Rugged coast, trail ladders and fresh crab on B.C.’s West Coast Trail
Sleeping with Synthetics: We review four synthetic-fill sleeping bags with a range of prices
Hiking the Inland Northwest: Day hikes and overnight trips in Spokane’s backyard
Hydration Solutions: We review five small packs designed to keep you well-hydrated
Families Go Hiking: A guide to taking children of all ages on the trail, including a list of kid-friendly hikes, an interview about kids doing trail maintenance, and essays on backpacking as kids.
Shoes for the Approach: Four hybrid shoes offer extra grip for hikers who like to scramble
Fixing Tiger Mountain: WTA volunteers repair trails in a very popular foothills park
Washington's Wildflowers: Searching for early bloomers in the lowlands
Remembering Greg: We remember the man who made WTA what it is today
The Map Makers: More than a century of topographic maps
Super Jackets: Six extremely lightweight jackets that keep the wet off
MSR's Evo Snowshoes: Improved design offers more gripping, less tripping
Poet of the Mountains: Danger on Peaks by Gary Snyder
Olympic Event: The Skyline Trail is a test of endurance worthy of the other Olympics
Outfitting Fido: We review hiking gear for your canine companions
Respecting Bird Creek Meadows: WTA helps repair trail on Yakama Indian Nation Land
Into the Deserts: The deserts of Central and Eastern Washington offer three seasons of explorations
Vegetarian Chow for the Trail: Lipsmackin’ Vegetarian Backpackin’ by Christine and Tim Connors
Fire 'Em Up: Our test of four backpacking stoves that use a variety of fuels
Exploring the Dark Divide: Despite its intimidating name, the Dark Divide is a place of sunny ridges and tremendous wildflower meadows.
A Good Night's Sleeping Bag: Three pricey but high-quality bags offer the peak of comfort
Getting to the Top: Trails to Washington Summits
Testing the Tents: Four new backpacking tents won't add much weight to your pack
Teanaway Magic: Lofty peaks, geologic wonders and great summertime hikes beckon in the Alpine Lakes
A Lucky Find: Taking a spectacular trip to Horseshoe Basin
Going Solo: Women hikers confront concerns about being alone in the backcountry
Gear for Your Feet: Boots and other products to pamper your piggies on the trail.
Healthy Hiking: Getting fit on the trail is easy, fun, and good for you.
In for the Long Haul: Five long-distance routes offer challenges for the resilient hiker
Kids Are Volunteers Too: The Cohns make WTA volunteering a family-friendly activity
All in a Day's Pack: Three packs that can hold the ten essentials and much more.
More Than Just Gear: Avalanche safety courses are essential for exploring winter and spring backcountry safely.
Washington's Forgotten Mountains: The Kettle Range overflows with beauty and solitude
A Voice in the Wilderness: Forty Years of Fighting Forewards by Harvey Manning
Softshells Sell: New materials invade the gear world
Trails Ravaged: October rains and December winds wreak havoc on the state's trails, bridges and forest roads. And it's still only January ...
What's in a Name?: The geography of Washington's backcountry is loaded with history
Water Filters: Our test of products designed to give you clean, safe water in the backcountry
Spotting Grizzlies: The excitement of looking for bears in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains
Freeze-Dried: WTA tests the good, the bad and the ugly in backpacking meals
Baby on Board: Hiking with little ones can be challenging but fun
Tool Time: Trail maintenance volunteers get their pick of all sorts of cool tools
Drying Out: Dehydrating your own food can be a cheap and tasty alternative to prepackaged backpacking meals
Maintaining the Methow: WTA's trail maintenance program extends across the mountains into the Okanogan National Forest
Memories of Ira: A Tribute to Hiking Pioneer Ira Spring
Just Say Howdy: A horsepacker shares advice on what to do when you meet four-legged hikers on the trail
A Field Guide to Hard Hats: Why do volunteers wear green, orange or blue hats? The answer can be found at WTA's annual Crew Leader College.
Scenic Splendor on the PCT; Rainy to Harts Pass: As is our annual custom for a dozen years now, my brother Keith flew out from Iowa for his annual fix of Seattle seafood, microbrews, and mountain backpacking. Our “to do” list had for some time included the stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Rainy to Harts Pass, but the relatively easy distance of 31 miles had previously caused us to divert to more challenging trips elsewhere.
Olympic Feats: Exploring the Queets Trail: Our group had originally intended to do an eight-day trip with three layover days at a base camp 5 miles beyond Pelton Shelter, where the river canyon forms at Service Falls. We were looking to explore a route to the Upper Queets Basin, which would have necessitated getting above the impassable canyon.

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