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

From The Dalles to Portland or Vancouver, take the bus to the trailhead this spring

May 16, 2025

There's more transit available in the Columbia River Gorge than the Dog Mountain Shuttle. A variety of interconnected bus lines offer hikers the chance to visit more than 20 trailheads in the Gorge. Can you hit them all, car-free?

Hiker Headlines: Trailhead Direct, new light rail station connects to trails, print North Cascades permits at home

May 15, 2025

Trailhead Direct is back for 2025! King County Parks has opened two new connector trails at one of the new Sound Transit Light Rail stations. North Cascades National Park is allowing most advance backcountry permits to be obtained through email this season. And the U.S. Forest Service will be offering a Scan and Pay option at many of its recreation sites.

Dust, sweat and big smiles: WTA's backcountry trips are delivering clear trails to hikers

May 14, 2025

Despite the uncertainty around Forest Service funding this year, WTA has managed to run several backcountry crews already. There is some juicy work out there.

WTA's Emerging Leaders Program celebrates a successful fifth season

May 09, 2025

"Overall, the past 5 years of the program show a huge testament to investing in early professionals, and there is so much to teach about the outdoors: trail work, backpacking, snowshoeing and more."

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier timed entry reservations, Upper Hoh Road reopens, Hike the State

May 08, 2025

Mount Rainier National Park will require timed entry reservations for the Sunrise area this summer season. Join WTA for Hike the State on May 21 — it's free and online. The Trump Administration revoked nearly $400 million in grants to AmeriCorps programs nationwide, threatening nonprofits and conservation corps programs. The county sheriff is reminding people to park properly on Olalla Canyon and Nahahum Canyon roads. And Upper Hoh Road has been repaired and is reopening!

Hikers speak up and help protect state funding for trails

May 01, 2025

The Washington State Legislature adjourned on April 27 after an incredibly difficult session. With the state facing a budget shortfall similar to the Great Recession, budget writers had to look for reductions across the board. Our state now has a budget for the next 2 years (2025-2027), and it includes essential funding for our outdoor places.

Hiker Headlines: GiveBIG, WTA is hiring, Mount Pilchuck delays, PCT bridge work

May 01, 2025

Next week is GiveBIG — we’re asking for your support! WTA is currently hiring for three positions. And we have info on some areas you might expect delays on the way to the trailhead as well as some bridge work on the PCT this summer.

Roads & Rainier: What a bridge closure, construction and timed-entry permits mean for hikers, backpackers and campers this summer

Apr 30, 2025

A bridge closure, road work, timed-entry permits and short staffing in Mount Rainier National Park mean hikers will need to pack plenty of patience and flexibility this summer.

WTA and partners celebrate opening of Glendale Forest

Apr 30, 2025

Over the weekend, WTA, King County Parks, Earth Corps and members of the community celebrated the opening of Glendale Forest. The 5-acre parcel of land was acquired by King County in 2020 to create trail accessibility for the historically underserved neighborhood.

Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 is open; Heather Lake, High Rock closures; Chuckanut Drive rockslide

Apr 24, 2025

Highway 20 — North Cascades Highway — has reopened for the 2025 season! Heather Lake, Lake 22 and High Rock trails have upcoming closures and Chuckanut Drive is closed due to a rockslide.

Seeing the forest for the trees: A Midwestern transplant reminds me of the splendor of Washington’s old growth

Apr 23, 2025

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. My partner is from rural Iowa. His excitement about our old-growth trees reminds me how lucky we are to have them.

Trip report round up: Spreading joy through trip reports

Apr 21, 2025

Beyond valuable intel on trail conditions, your trip reports spread the joy and kindness you experience when you hike in Washington. So we're highlighting recent trip reports that brought their own unique joy to our days.

Hiker Headlines: Bridge closed to Mowich Lake and Carbon River roads, Mountain Loop Highway partial reopening

Apr 17, 2025

The Fairfax Bridge near Carbonado, just outside of Mount Rainier National Park, is closed, blocking access to Mowich Lake Road and Carbon River Road. The Mountain Loop Highway has reopened between Deer Creek and Barlow Pass! And some fun hiker events and fee-free days are coming up.

How to create a backup plan for your big hikes

Tips to create flexible itineraries so you can pivot quickly and still have fun. By Jessi Loerch

How youth are fighting climate grief with action

Apr 14, 2025

Time outside helps the youth with Climate Action Families in their work to advance climate justice. By Emory Ranes

Hiker Headlines: Now hiring, Olympic National Park summer camping permits, Olympic National Forest going primarily cashless

Apr 10, 2025

WTA is hiring for our seasonal Lost Trails Found professional trail crews! Olympic National Park summer season backcountry camping permits are available starting April 15, and most Olympic National Forest fees will now be cashless. There’s a road closure on Forest Road 25 in the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. And Mount Rainier National Park is asking folks to be careful when they’re recreating on the mountain.

Urban forestry and why it matters

Spending time amid trees boosts the enjoyment of time spent in nature. But trees do a lot more than that — they sequester carbon, help create the air we breathe, provide shade, mitigate heat, absorb stormwater and create habitat. But the benefits of those trees are not distributed equally among neighborhoods.

A case for hiking near home

Apr 07, 2025

Hiking is a great way to de-stress, but there’s nothing like traffic to instantly evaporate joy felt while on during your time on trail. Here is our case for considering a hike near you.

Hiker Headlines: WTA is hiring, new Riverside State Park trailhead, coastal cleanup

Apr 03, 2025

WTA is hiring a summer trail crew leader for our work at Mount Rainier National Park. Work is starting on a new trailhead at Riverside State Park! An Olympic National Park coastal cleanup is coming up soon. And the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife wants your input to help them build a plan for the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area Complex.

Helping youth find hope in the face of climate change

Apr 02, 2025

“I am motivated to confront the climate crisis today because it’s really not fair that a bunch of people, animals and environments are suffering and being destroyed without a care in the world.”

WTA's guide to charging backcountry electronics

Phones and other electronics have become a key tool for modern hikers. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your electronics charged while on trail. By Joseph Gonzalez

Backpackers, here's the deal for the Chelan Lakeshore trail this year

Mar 28, 2025

What's closed, what's open, and what to bring to camp on this popular trail this summer.

Hiker Headlines: Icicle Road traffic delays; state park same-day camping reservations, Riverside State Park closures

Mar 27, 2025

Repair work starts on Icicle Road on April 14 — expect delays and closures! Washington State Parks now accept same-day campsite bookings. And several trails at Riverside State Park will be closed for a few months for a forest health treatment project.

When big damage requires heavy duty trail cleanup

Mar 25, 2025

In November 2024, the Pacific Northwest was hit by a bomb cyclone, and many of our trails were damaged by fallen trees and debris. For the last several months, WTA has been working with land managers and other organizations to get trails in the Issaquah Alps back open again.

Music and Nature: An evening of stunning images accompanied by a symphony orchestra

Mar 24, 2025

Join WTA on April 25 at Benaroya Hall for a celebration of Washington landscapes.

Hiker Rally Day: Meet the hikers who spoke up for trails

Mar 21, 2025

153 hikers from 39 legislative districts across the state rallied in Olympia on Tuesday to advocate for trails and public lands.

Tell us where the ticks are: Hikers can now help DOH track tick distribution in Washington State

A new project will use WTA's trip reports to help the Department of Health determine where people are encountering ticks in Washington. | By Anna Roth

Hiker Headlines: Historic Columbia River Highway closure, upcoming car-free hiking workshop and symphony concert

Mar 20, 2025

Happy spring equinox! We have some fun hiker events coming up, including a car-free adventuring workshop and a nature-inspired symphony concert. The Historic Columbia River Highway has an extended closure. And some agencies are getting ready for wildfire season, which might affect your hiking plans.

Northwest Weekend: Take a break from Oregon skiing with high desert hikes

What to do on an off day when not skiing? Winter and early-spring hikes are perfect for the canyons and arroyos north of Bend. By Julia Duin

Hey bear! Years of delightful bear encounters on trail

When you spend a lot of time on trail, you get a lot of chances to see bears. Here are some of my favorite stories from the thousands of miles I've hiked. By Craig Romano