Washington Trails Magazine

Boys Discover Hiking

Seattle YBOYS program introduces boys to the wonders of the outdoors

Cool Shades

Six stylish sets of sunglasses to keep your eyes protected on the trail.

Hiking with Dogs

Tips, stories, etiquette and regulations for taking your canine companion on the trail.

Escaping Gray Skies on the Klickitat

Hike or Bike a rails-to-trails gem in Southwest Washington

Mountain Frogs

A brief guide to the fascinating frogs of the Cascades and Olympics.

Day Hiking Sun Valley

Sun Valley Idaho makes a great base for day hikes--and it's closer than you might think.

Sobriety, One Step at a Time

Outdoor 12-step recovery club has been helping people with addiction for 16 years

Digital Cameras

Nine lightweight digital cameras well-suited for the trail.

Peak Conditioning

Get yourself in shape so your next hike is a breeze

Footwear

Shoes, sandals, and socks for a variety of outdoor pursuits

A Field Guide to Trail Structures

How to identify common species of trail structures on your next hike

A Critter Returns

Fishers return to the Olympics, and martens can be spotted now

WTA's Holiday Gift Guide 2007

We pick the best gifts for hikers this season.

Le Tour de Mont Blanc

Northwest hikers tackle a 6-day trek around Europe's highest peak.

Snowshoeing St. Helens

How to snowshoe to the summit of the volcano, or take winter day trips in the monument.

The Kindness of Strangers

How generous hikers and search and rescue volunteers saved me.

All-Season Jackets

Three jackets to keep you warm and toasty in all four seasons

The Forest For the Trees

Hiking in a forest ecosystem reveals more than just trees: an intricate web of interdependent nature.

Hiking Blind

Helping a friend without sight tackle Cascade summits

The Quest for a Lake

After seeing a photo on WTA's website, a hiker seeks a lake in British Columbia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Just Say Howdy

A horsepacker shares advice on what to do when you meet four-legged hikers on the trail

Memories of Ira

A Tribute to Hiking Pioneer Ira Spring

Maintaining the Methow

WTA's trail maintenance program extends across the mountains into the Okanogan National Forest

Drying Out

Dehydrating your own food can be a cheap and tasty alternative to prepackaged backpacking meals

Tool Time

Trail maintenance volunteers get their pick of all sorts of cool tools

Baby on Board

Hiking with little ones can be challenging but fun

Freeze-Dried

WTA tests the good, the bad and the ugly in backpacking meals

Spotting Grizzlies

The excitement of looking for bears in British Columbia's Selkirk Mountains

Water Filters

Our test of products designed to give you clean, safe water in the backcountry

What's in a Name?

The geography of Washington's backcountry is loaded with history

Trails Ravaged

October rains and December winds wreak havoc on the state's trails, bridges and forest roads. And it's still only January ...

Softshells Sell

New materials invade the gear world

A Voice in the Wilderness

Forty Years of Fighting Forewards by Harvey Manning

Washington's Forgotten Mountains

The Kettle Range overflows with beauty and solitude

More Than Just Gear

Avalanche safety courses are essential for exploring winter and spring backcountry safely.

All in a Day's Pack

Three packs that can hold the ten essentials and much more.

Kids Are Volunteers Too

The Cohns make WTA volunteering a family-friendly activity

In for the Long Haul

Five long-distance routes offer challenges for the resilient hiker

Healthy Hiking

Getting fit on the trail is easy, fun, and good for you.

Gear for Your Feet

Boots and other products to pamper your piggies on the trail.

Going Solo

Women hikers confront concerns about being alone in the backcountry

A Lucky Find

Taking a spectacular trip to Horseshoe Basin

Teanaway Magic

Lofty peaks, geologic wonders and great summertime hikes beckon in the Alpine Lakes

Testing the Tents

Four new backpacking tents won't add much weight to your pack

Getting to the Top

Trails to Washington Summits

A Good Night's Sleeping Bag

Three pricey but high-quality bags offer the peak of comfort

Exploring the Dark Divide

Despite its intimidating name, the Dark Divide is a place of sunny ridges and tremendous wildflower meadows.

Fire 'Em Up

Our test of four backpacking stoves that use a variety of fuels

Vegetarian Chow for the Trail

Lipsmackin’ Vegetarian Backpackin’ by Christine and Tim Connors

Into the Deserts

The deserts of Central and Eastern Washington offer three seasons of explorations

Respecting Bird Creek Meadows

WTA helps repair trail on Yakama Indian Nation Land

Outfitting Fido

We review hiking gear for your canine companions

Olympic Event

The Skyline Trail is a test of endurance worthy of the other Olympics

Poet of the Mountains

Danger on Peaks by Gary Snyder

MSR's Evo Snowshoes

Improved design offers more gripping, less tripping

Super Jackets

Six extremely lightweight jackets that keep the wet off

The Map Makers

More than a century of topographic maps

Remembering Greg

We remember the man who made WTA what it is today

Washington's Wildflowers

Searching for early bloomers in the lowlands

Fixing Tiger Mountain

WTA volunteers repair trails in a very popular foothills park

Shoes for the Approach

Four hybrid shoes offer extra grip for hikers who like to scramble

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.

Hydration Solutions

We review five small packs designed to keep you well-hydrated

Hiking the Inland Northwest

Day hikes and overnight trips in Spokane’s backyard

Sleeping with Synthetics

We review four synthetic-fill sleeping bags with a range of prices

Way Out West

Rugged coast, trail ladders and fresh crab on B.C.’s West Coast Trail

Home Away from Home

WTA tests four 3-season tents, from heavy to lightweight

Going Light

Slimming down your gear to go faster and farther

Wasting Time in the North Cascades

North Cascades National Park offers a wealth of challenging and rewarding overnight trips

Slowing Down in Holden Village

The remote hamlet of Holden offers an escape to new experiences

Packing It All In

We review two full-featured, lightweight overnight packs

A Tough Job

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie trails coordinator faces many challenges

Exploring the Urban Wilderness

A review of The Street-Smart Naturalist by David B. Williams

Natural High

Exploring the Pacific Crest Trail north of Rainy Pass

A Sharp Lookout

Dodger Point Lookout provided eyes on the sky during World War II

Hiking Legends

WTA honors twelve elders who’ve made a huge difference for hiking and wilderness

A Tough Trip Over Easy Pass

Scenery, solitude and challenges in North Cascades National Park

Warm Up This Fall

Lightweight insulation that will keep you dry and toasty

Global Warming and Hiking Part 1

Ozone Polluting the Cascades: Alarming levels of ozone at Mount Rainier may making hiking there bad for you.

Global Warming and Hiking Part 2

Shrinking Glaciers, Dying Lichens: Pollution is destroyinh what we love about wilderness.

Global Warming and Hiking Part 3

Driving Force: Let's admit it: hikers contribute to air pollution.

Building On Badger

Flocks of volunteers build a 1.2-mile trail in a new reserve outside Richland

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.

Refuge

Discovering the landscape of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Ancient Trails

Hiking to Machu Picchu on Peru's Inca Trail

The Underwear to Wear

We test four sets of mid-weigh base layers

The Douglas Legacy

A review of The Footpaths of Justice William O. Douglas: A Legacy of Place

How to Store Your Gear

A few hours of maintenance can extend the life of your hiking stuff

Toleak by Moonlight

The sights and sounds of the Olympic wilderness coast in winter

Hiking Place Names

The stories behind names in the backcountry.

Light as the Wind

Five wind shirts offer decent rain protection and weigh very little

Breaking Trail at Beacon Rock

WTA volunteers start work on a new route in Southwest Washington

Desert Bloom

Umtanum Ridge is at its best mid-April to mid-May

Waterfalls

Searching for sublime waterfalls of the Cascades

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.

Taking Stock

Horses, mules and llamas are essential to WTA’s backcountry trail crews

Immersion Hiking

How to Spend 20 Summer Weekends on the Trail

Hiking (Almost) Forever

Hiking beyond age 50: Take your time and pick your hikes carefully

High-Tech Sandals

New technical sandals morph hiking boots with sandals

Getting to Know the Mountain

A journal from the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier

Alpine Lakes Reflections

Thoughts on the past, present and future of the popular wilderness

Mad River Memories

Finding sanity in the Entiat Mountains; plus, how to find soft beds for day hiking adventures.

Backpacking Tents for a Crowd

Roomy, lightweight tents for families, friends and pets

Where to Hike with Kids

A review of Joan Burton's "Best Hikes with Kids: Western Washington and Cascades"

Better Sleep On It

Four new sleeping pads offer different strategies for comfort

Mountain Butterflies

Spotting butterflies on the wing in the Cascades and Olympics

Hiking "Round the Mountain"

Exploring the slopes of the forgotten volcano: Mount Adams

Greg Ball Trail Completed!

WTA youth crews build a fantastic new trail to Wallace Lake

Traversing the Bailey Range

Solitude and scenery on Olympic National Park's premier high route

British Columbia Hiking

So many reasons for hiking north of the border.

The William O. Douglas Trail

A new 75-mile route celebrates the life of the justice and conservationist

Alpine Fly Fishing

How and where to catch trout in the backcountry

Last Child in the Woods

A review of Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Lowland Trails

Maintaining suburban trails just as important as the backcountry

Mount St. Helens in Autumn

An overnight trip, day hike suggestions, and an account of a climb to the summit of St. Helens

Choosing Trails to Work On

How WTA creates its work party schedule for the year

Stairway to Heaven

Clear lakes, huckleberries and easy trails make Indian Heaven a delight

Hiking Fiascos

Our readers share their stories of mishaps in the backcountry

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.

Washington Trails 2006 Holiday Gift Guide

What to give your favorite hikers for the holidays

A Record Year!

WTA volunteers gave more than 74,000 hours of trail work in 2006

Seeking Sun

The wonders of winter hiking in Arizona’s Superstition Wilderness

Gear the Experts Use

Two gearheads trade notes on the stuff they can’t live without

A Truly Grand Canyon

Hiking into the eighth wonder of the world requires careful planning

Urban Hiking

Snow keeping you from the montains? Try a hike in the city.

Finding the Perfect Underwear

Three brands of “technical” undies for hiking and winter recreation

Getting to the Top is Optional

A Review of No Shortcuts to the Top, by Ed Viesturs

Boots, Balsamroot and a Bottle of Syrah

Pairing fine hikes and fine wine in Yakima’s vineyard country

The Hiker Quiz

Test your wilderness trivia knowledge!

We Survey Hiking Poles

Two brands of poles that will save your knees

New Trails on the Peninsula

WTA weekday crews forge new trails at Miller Peninsula and beyond

Answers to Women's Hiking Questions

WTA's Lauren Braden answers commonly asked questions

Gals' Overnight Out

Backpacking the Hoh rainforest with eleven of my best friends

Women's Lightweight Packs

Three new overnight packs designed specifically for women

After the Storm

WTA has created four printable maps of storm-damaged roads and trails across the Cascades and Olympics.

Mind Your Manners

A few simple rules to preserve that special wilderness experience

Boots for a Day or a Night

Midweight boots designed for day hikes and brief overnights

Rebuilding at Mount Rainier

WTA plans a full schedule of work at Mount Rainier through Labor Day

Heaven in Hell's Canyon

Hiking two wilderness areas near Washington’s southeast corner

Backpacking 101

All you need to know to take your first overnight backpacking trip

Tents for a Party of One

Three tents and one bivy offer lightweight shelter for solo trekkers.

Swimming with Bears

A nine-day trip to Image Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness

When Lightning Strikes

Staying safe during a storm in the backcountry

Summertime Sleeping Bags

Three bags to keep you warm, but not sweltering, this summer.

Trees on the Trail

A color guide to trees of the Cascades and Olympics.

Big Fun in Little Pend Oreille

WTA Volunteer Vacation builds new trail in Northeast Washington