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

Hiker Headlines: Artist Point Road Opening, Trail Closures, Sundaes Outside

Jul 14, 2022

The road to Artist Point is open for the season! Forest Service construction will close the Annette Lake trail through October. King County Parks construction will close some of the Cougar Mountain trail network through July. And join Golden Bricks Events for Sundaes Outside this Sunday, July 17 at Dash Point State Park.

Plans, Packs & Permits for Summer Backpacking

What to consider before you head out for backpacking adventures this summer. | By Craig Romano

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: Sea Potential

Jul 13, 2022

We recently talked with a few local outdoor groups we admire to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

Find Your Hiking Community Through These Events

Jul 11, 2022

We’re highlighting a few of our favorites for you to check out this summer.

Hiker Headlines: Road Openings and Closures, Urban Forest Funding, Survey on E-Bikes

Jul 07, 2022

Sunrise Road has reopened for the summer. Mallardy Ridge Road will be closed from July 15 to September 15. Some Conconully State Park campgrounds are closed temporarily due to flood damage. $550,000 of funding was awarded by the Department of Natural Resources for urban and community forests. The state wants to hear your thoughts on e-bikes on trails. And, a retriever featured in WTA's Hiking with Dogs workshop is a semi-finalist in the 2022 American Humane Hero Dog Award competition.

Share Your Thoughts on E-Bikes on Trails

Jul 06, 2022

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources are looking for your feedback on e-bikes on their land.

A Tool to Help Wheelchair Hikers Find Trails

With the help of hikers who use wheelchairs, WTA has created a new tool to help more hikers find a trail that will work for them. | By Anna Roth

Snow Lake and Annette Lake Trails to Close for Several Months

Jul 05, 2022

The Annette Lake and Snow Lake trails, popular hikes along the I-90 corridor, will be closed for several months this summer due to trail construction work, funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. The work will require the use of potentially-dangerous tools, so the trails will close in the interest of safety.

5 Steps to Your Best Summer with Hike-a-Thon

Jul 01, 2022

Whether you’re hoping to discover new trails or hike more miles, you’ll find community in WTA’s 19th annual Hike-a-Thon.

How One Forest Service Leader is Inspiring a New Generation

Jun 30, 2022

For over two decades, Aleta Eng has been working to connect people to public lands and inspiring the next generation of U.S. Forest Service leaders. As the partnership specialist for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Aleta has been thoughtful, innovative and creative in building a strong youth and community engagement program.

Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Highway 20 Repaving, Dog Mountain Trailhead to Move, Firework Safety

Jun 30, 2022

Registration opens for WTA’s Hike-a-Thon on July 1. Some roads and parking lots on Highway 20 will be affected by a repaving project this month. Plans to move the Dog Mountain trailhead have kicked off. And, please help prevent wildfires this weekend.

9 Tips for Being Everyone’s Favorite Hiking Buddy

Jun 27, 2022

The next time you head out with a new hiking companion, whether it’s a brand-new friend or someone you’ve known for decades, we have some tips for how to have a great time — and ensure you’re always on the invite list for future hikes.

Hiker Headlines: Volunteer Trailhead Ambassador Program, Closures and Openings, State Park Expansion

Jun 23, 2022

Join Glacier Peak Institute in a pilot volunteer trailhead ambassador program at Barlow Pass this summer. Baker Lake and Baker River roads will be closed for repair through July 1. Near Winthrop, trails and campgrounds are open after reconstruction from the Cub Creek fire in 2021. And Beacon Rock State Park is getting expanded after a land acquisition.

This Summer: Volunteer on the Mountain Loop Highway

Jun 22, 2022

Spread knowledge about Leave No Trace and responsible recreation by volunteering as a trailhead ambassador on the Mountain Loop Highway this summer.

Summer Survival Guide: Hiking with Babies, Kids and Teens

Jun 21, 2022

Motivating reluctant kids, backpacking with a baby or knowing when your teen is ready to hike without you — here are 5 articles to help you get your kids, from babies to teens, out on trail this summer.

Clearing the Way for Summer Adventures: Where We've Worked so Far

Jun 20, 2022

Spring is an exciting time at WTA. The snow is melting, the flowers are blooming and our intrepid backcountry volunteers make their way out on trail to begin clearing the path for summer.

Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Closures, Youth Trail Work Parties

Jun 16, 2022

This Sunday, Juneteenth, is a fee-free day at state managed lands. Ruby Beach is now closed for construction. A restoration project in the Upper South Fork Skokomish and repaving projects along Highway 20 will impact some trailhead access. Your hike can help inform research on pink snow. And, WTA invites you to join us on a youth trail work party this summer.

5 Tips to Get Your Friends to Help Protect Trails

Jun 15, 2022

We recently talked to three hikers who have advocated for trails in official and unofficial ways about what works best to get friends on board for saving trails.

Basecamp: Find a Place to Stay While Getting to Know the Nature Nearby

From simple tent sites to luxurious vacation rentals, we help you find the perfect basecamp for your weekend hiking adventures. By Jessi Loerch

Hiker Headlines: Free Days, Outdoor Rec Funding, Road Openings, Methow Planning

Jun 09, 2022

Enjoy a fee-free visit to the trailhead weekend. The Department of Agriculture unveiled $503 million of funding for outdoor recreation projects. Chinook Pass is set to reopen on June 10. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a public workshop to discuss development of the Methow Wildlife Area. And, Washington State Parks will be starting up their summer outdoor concert series.

Using Trails to See the Bigger Picture

Jun 08, 2022

Bri Ross, a member of WTA's Emerging Leaders Program, has long been interested in using recreation ecology to understand the natural world.

From the Start: How WTA’s Trail Designers Create Beautiful, Enjoyable Trails That Last

By Jessi Loerch

I'm a Hiker. This is What that Means to Me.

Jun 06, 2022

What does it mean to be a hiker? The question is our own to answer.

Lost Trails Found Crews Bring Big Boost to Backcountry Trails

Jun 03, 2022

This summer, WTA will be leading two six-person crews into the backcountry to tackle some of our biggest projects.

Hiker Headlines: Hike the State, Campground Openings, Hike Closures, More Rain

Jun 02, 2022

Join Washington Trails Association for Hike the State next Wednesday, June 8. Some campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park have reopened for the season. Upcoming construction will close a few hikes and cause some delays in the I-90 corridor. Sula Jacobs has been selected as superintendent for Olympic National Park. And, prepare for more rainy weather this week.

Is it Summer Yet? What Hikers Found Around the State on Memorial Day Weekend

Jun 01, 2022

For many, Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time to get outside. With summer approaching, countless hikers are often itching to hike in nicer weather. This year, it was a little harder to find sunny weather, but that didn’t stop hikers from heading somewhere to spend some time in nature to kick off the summer season. Here are some of our favorite recent trip reports showcasing what hikers got up to over this long weekend.

Why is That Snow Pink?

May 27, 2022

If you hike near snow in the summer, you’ve likely seen pink snow. It’s a striking sight, sometimes quite a vivid color pooled in melted areas, sometimes just a blush of pink dusted across a lingering snowfield.

Hiker Headlines: New Beer, Road Openings, Campground Delay

May 26, 2022

Join WTA, Fremont Brewing and REI at a launch of a new beer to celebrate Washington’s trails. Some campgrounds in Gifford Pinchot National Forest have delayed opening. Cayuse Pass will open for the season on Friday, May 28. Fees at some recreation sites in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are increasing. And, a section of the Mountain Loop Highway has opened early after the winter season.

Take the Bus: Trailhead Direct is Back for 2022

May 24, 2022

Trailhead Direct is starting its 2022 season this Memorial Day weekend. The service provides transit access to nearby trailheads from Seattle. Ryan Miller from King County Metro and Ryan Dotson from King County Parks give some insight into the service.

WTA Helps You Hike Like A Pro

May 24, 2022

Our mission is to mobilize hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. And that means empowering our hiking community to tailor their time outside to what they need, when they need it.

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