Stories & News

Get the latest news, how-to advice, and feature articles about the trail community, the current hiking season and issues impacting trails you love.

Get local news, how-to advice, and feature articles about our trail community, the current hiking season in Washington and issues impacting trails you love.

Learn more about: WTA member magazine | Signpost blog

Belonging and Joy: One WTA staff member’s journey to finding her space in the outdoors

Angelic Friday has been an integral part of WTA's team for years, but her love of the outdoors began much earlier. | By Tiffany Chou

Take action: Forest Service cuts to seasonal staffing will hurt trails and recreational access

Nov 12, 2024

A budget crisis at the U.S. Forest Service will reduce its ability to maintain trails, clean restrooms, collect trash and steward public lands. Learn what is happening and how you can help.

Shape the next 10 years for Oyster Dome, Mount Si, Gothic Basin, Yacolt Burn and more

Nov 08, 2024

Washington Department of Natural Resources recently released its first-ever statewide plan to guide recreation and public access, including hiking, over the next 10 years and across 5.6 million acres. Give your feedback before November 21.

Hiker Headlines: Chinook and Cayuse passes close for season, sno-park permit season starts

Nov 07, 2024

Veterans day is Nov. 11 and parking fees will be waived on state and federal lands. More roads have closed for the winter — including Eightmile Road in the Enchantments and Chinook and Cayuse passes at Mount Rainier — and it’s sno-park season. And good news: New bear boxes have been installed in some wildlife areas in northeast Washington!

Looking ahead to 2025: WTA’s commitment to trails and to our community

Nov 06, 2024

In 2025, you can count on WTA continuing to be a fierce advocate for public lands. We’re eager to get to work protecting them for everyone, forever, together with all who love the outdoors. We hope you’ll become part of our movement for trails and public lands

The magic math of a single sleeping bag

Nov 04, 2024

When you are camping, a sleeping bag not only is an important survival tool but can provide a lot of comfort while you’re away from home. For people who are new to camping, a quality sleeping bag can make or break an entire trip.

Hiker Headlines: Winter schedule for national parks; new trail mural

Oct 31, 2024

Happy Halloween from all of us at WTA! Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park are now on winter recreation and road access schedules. Be aware of smoke that may come from planned fires. And check out a new mural on the Eastrail in the Puget Sound area.

Slate Creek: Not lost, but not quite found

Oct 31, 2024

I recently visited the Slate Creek Trail for a backcountry work party. I walked away from the experience with a new appreciation for trails in Eastern Washington — and for our volunteer community.

Volunteer Appreciation 2024: Celebrating our incredible community

Oct 28, 2024

Our gratitude for our volunteers happens every day. Once a year though, we dedicate one week to celebrate them especially — Volunteer Appreciation Week. Here's a roundup of how we welcomed longtime and new volunteers to celebrate their efforts this year.

Checking in with Emerging Leader Alums

Past participants of WTA's Emerging Leaders Program chat about what they're up to now and how their time in the program has helped inform their careers so far.

Hiker Headlines: Naches area trail closures, new statewide recreation plan, snow levels dropping

Oct 24, 2024

The Mount Si trailhead will be temporarily closed and there are some trail closures in the Naches area. You can learn about a new statewide plan for recreation by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources at an upcoming meeting. A movie about explorer and cartographer Michi Meko is debuting in Portland. And snow is coming to the mountains this week!

$1.9 billion for public lands is at risk: your voice is needed

Oct 22, 2024

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) created the Legacy Restoration Fund, which provides up to $1.9 billion annually to protect public lands and improve opportunities for the public to access them. With funding set to run out in 2025, we are gathering the support of people like you who love the outdoors to help us push to renew GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund.

A celebration of Jim Langdon and 100 volunteer vacations

Nearly 20 years ago, Jim Langdon decided to try out a volunteer vacation, figuring he could leave if it wasn't fun. Over 100 trips later, he still hasn't left. By Erin McMillin

Hiker Headlines: Roads close, new winter parking fee at Snoqualmie Pass

Oct 17, 2024

More recreation areas and roads have closed for the winter. The cabins at Cama Beach State Park will be closed permanently. The Summit at Snoqualmie is implementing a new parking fee this winter. Check out a brand new trail in Southwest Washington. And get ready for some rain this weekend!

Trip Report Corner: Try, try again

Oct 16, 2024

Trip reporter Seattle_Wayne had previously attempted to summit North Bend's Mount Teneriffe twice before, not quite making it either time. As he says: "Third times a charm, or so they say."

Hiker Headlines: Sunrise Road closed for winter, Forest Service hiring freeze, once-in-a-lifetime comet show

Oct 10, 2024

Be aware of some closures, including Sunrise Road, which is closed for the winter. The U.S. Forest Service announced significant cuts to its workforce — including not hiring seasonal staff next year — due to a budget crisis. And this Saturday, a comet will be visible in the night sky.

For Rachel Heaton, the summit is just a bonus

How Rachel Heaton is building Native representation outdoors and encouraging reverence for the land. | by Jessi Loerch

Trip Report Roundup: Fall equinox brings a rainbow of warm autumnal colors

Oct 08, 2024

Autumn is many a hiker's favorite season to get outside — the weather is cooling down, the bugs are gone, mushrooms are sprouting everywhere and, of course, the fall foliage is here! Here are some of our favorite trip reports featuring those lovely reds, oranges and yellows.

New Vancouver trail lowers barriers to nature, trail work

Behrens Woods embodies the power of a local park to connect people with nature, with each other and even with hope for the future. By Linnea Johnson

Hiker Headlines: Lake 22 closure extended, Newhalem Visitor Center closed for winter, WTA is hiring

Oct 03, 2024

Oct. 10 is World Mental Health Day and parking will be free on state lands. Last call for WTA’s Northwest Exposure Photo Contest! WTA is hiring for a director of technology. And some closures, both seasonal and construction, may affect your hiking plans.

Join Us in Voting ''No" on I-2117 and Protect Climate Progress

Oct 02, 2024

Climate change is threatening healthy forests, clean air and open trails, and therefore our ability to get outdoors. That’s why WTA is asking hikers to vote “No” on Initiative 2117 (I-2117) to defend our state’s climate progress.

The Power of Photography

Northwest Exposure Photo Contest judges share their honorable mentions for the 2023 photo contest and explain what makes these images so compelling.

Hiker Headlines: Emerging Leaders Program hiring, photo contest ending soon, Sunrise Visitor Center closed for the season

Sep 26, 2024

WTA is hiring! And our Northwest Exposure photo contest ends soon! Mount Rainier National Park is transitioning to winter operations. Be aware of some big road closures in the Seattle-Tacoma area this weekend, as well as a closed bridge on the Pacific Crest Trail in the North Cascades.

The Forest Service and Snoqualmie Indian Tribe want your observations along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie

Sep 24, 2024

The Middle Fork Snoqualmie area is a great destination for fall and winter hiking. If you visit Pratt River, Otter Falls, Garfield Ledges or other area hikes this fall, you can collect data to help inform research about local wildlife. The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is partnering with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on a survey to find out how hikers and other forms of outdoor recreation may be affecting animals in the area.

WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training: 1,000 trips and counting!

Sep 23, 2024

WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program has supported 1,000 trips with gear and funding assistance.

King County parks and trails you can take a bus to year round

Sep 20, 2024

King County is highlighting a series of regular bus routes that access some terrific local hiking all year round.

Hiker Headlines: Fee-free day, new national forest food storage rules, Heather Lake trailhead expansion

Sep 19, 2024

Sept. 28 is National Public Lands Day, and parking fees will be waived on some public lands. Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented new food and garbage storage rules. The Heather Lake trailhead parking area has been expanded! And be aware of a few closures that might affect your hiking plans.

Hike-a-Thon 2024: A thank you from Miles the Marmot

Sep 16, 2024

In August, Hike-a-Thoners covered incredible ground while they raised big dollars to help trails, public lands and the work of WTA.

Hiker Headlines: Seaquest and Lake Sylvia state park closures, I-90 delays, International Coastal Cleanup

Sep 12, 2024

Volunteer at the annual International Coastal Cleanup at the Ozette Triangle on Saturday, Sept. 21! Be aware of some state park closures, plus lane closures near Vantage on I-90. North Cascades National Park's burn ban will be lifted starting Friday, Sept. 13. The Outdoors for All Foundation has opened a new program center at Lake Sammamish State Park. And the Wenatchee River Ranger District has been working hard to clear a PCT reroute around the Miners Creek Complex Fire closures.

How professional WTA trail crews kept trails on the map in 2024

Sep 11, 2024

Our paid trail crews specialize in working on hard-to-reach backcountry trails. Here’s what they accomplished in 2024. By Joseph Gonzalez