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

Get Inspired: How Four Hikers Accomplished Their 2021 Hiking Goals

Jan 12, 2022

You've picked your hike, checked the trip reports, and refreshed your trail smarts. But if you need a little more motivation getting out the door, read how these four hikers achieved their hiking goals last year.

Hiking Firsts: Photos and Stories of Hikers Trying New Things

Jan 07, 2022

To celebrate the beginning of a new year, we're sharing some firsts, shared by contributors to our Northwest Exposure Photo Contest.

Trip Reporters Talk Snow and Ice

Jan 07, 2022

One of the best sources of information and inspiration during winter are trip reports from hikers who are out there seeing conditions first hand. Here are some of the things trip reporters have been finding out on trail during the start of winter.

Hiker Headlines: Avalanche Warning, Closed Passes and Roads, Winter Inspiration

Jan 06, 2022

The avalanche forecast is high for the Cascades and Olympics. A flood watch is in effect for much of Western Washington. Four major mountain passes are closed due to heavy snowfall, and it’s best to steer clear of trailheads in the I-90 foothills until road conditions improve. With the rough conditions out there, stay inspired by setting your hiking goals for the new year and check out our photo contest winners.

2021 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Winners

Jan 03, 2022

From bears to mountain peaks, take a look at all of the 2021 photo contest winners.

Hiker Headlines: New Sno-Park, First Day Hikes, Bridge Over the Columbia

Dec 29, 2021

First Day Hikes are a great way to kick off the new year. A new Sno-Park just opened on the westside of Snoqualmie Pass. The eastern closure point for the North Cascades Highway will move a few miles down the road. And a pedestrian bridge across the Columbia River will open in 2022.

Tips and Inspiration to Help You Set Goals for a Year of Happy Hiking

Dec 28, 2021

Resources and inspiration to help you create your own hiking goals and meet them.

Hiker Headlines: Cold Snap, Winter Hiking, Fisher Release

Dec 23, 2021

Snowfall and very cold temperatures are expected across Washington this weekend. Read about the many ways hikers are getting outside at the start of winter. And more fishers have been reintroduced to the Olympic National Forest.

How to Reach Your Hiking Goals

It starts with really understanding what is important to you when you hit the trail. By Craig Romano

Wild Society, a WTA Partner, Teams Up With Communities for Outdoor Adventures

Dec 20, 2021

Wild Society, a wilderness education nonprofit based out of Kitsap County, developed two amazing new partnerships that brought epic adventures and rewarding relationships.

Planning for the Future of Trails Means Planning for Fires

Dec 17, 2021

Not every landscape or wildfire is the same. Depending on how hot the fire burns, there are different impacts to the environment. Just as each fire and landscape is unique, the on-the-ground response can be just as varied.

Hiker Headlines: Winter Parking, WTA’s Impact, Blake Island, Yakima Loop, Parks Director

Dec 16, 2021

With winter recreation ramping up, it’s important to know how to park legally at mountain passes. The impact of the WTA community is getting noticed. Tillicum Village is closing on Blake Island. Planners aim to make Yakima more walkable. And the new director of the National Park Service has been sworn in.

Search and Rescue’s Tips for Wet-Season Hiking

Dec 14, 2021

Here are a few scenarios you might encounter while hiking in the wet months — and how to avoid having to make that 911 call for search and rescue.

How we are Creating a Path to Trails for Everyone, Forever

We envision a future where there are Trails for Everyone, Forever and our new strategic plan outlines how we’re going to achieve this vision. By Allie Tripp

A Year of Achievements in Glendale Park

Dec 13, 2021

WTA, partners and the local community have made incredible headway in bringing access to this local park.

Gift Guide: 13 Favorite Outdoor-Themed Books

Dec 10, 2021

These staff recommended reads are the perfect accompaniment to your shoulder-season adventures — or a way to stay busy while you wait out the high-country snow. We also think they'd make great holiday gifts for the nature lovers in you life.

Hiker Headlines: Avalanche Safety, Name Changes, Conservation, First Day Hikes

Dec 08, 2021

The experts at the Northwest Avalanche Center have a safety reminder. The Department of the Interior will work to remove derogatory place names from federal lands. Washington just designated 230 acres of land as Natural Resource Conservation Areas. And, First Day Hikes are coming back to state parks on January 1.

How to Help if You See Harassment or Bias on Trail

Dec 08, 2021

Trails should be welcoming and safe for everyone. Here's some ways you can help if you encounter incidents on bias on trail.

WTA’s First Pro Crew Found a Path Forward for Trails — and Themselves

Our backcountry pro crew cleared many miles of trail this summer. And for the members of the crew, the season helped clear a new path forward, too. By Zack Sklar

Celebrating the Lives of Those We Lost

Dec 06, 2021

We take a moment to reflect on the lives of some of those who we've recently lost. They are missed, but we will remember and celebrate their lives and contributions to our community for years to come.

6 Ideas for Making New Outdoor Holiday Traditions

Dec 03, 2021

Spending the holidays outdoors is an annual tradition for some WTA trip reporters. Here's how they do it.

Hiker Headlines: Now Hiring, Giving Tuesday, Parks Director, New Year’s, Hoh Flooding

Dec 02, 2021

WTA is hiring for several positions, both in the field and the office. Giving Tuesday was a great success thanks to all your support. Chuck F. Sams III was confirmed to head the National Park Service. Reserve your spot now for New Year’s celebrations at Deception Pass State Park. The Hoh River entrance at Olympic National Park is closed due to flooding.

A Vision for Year-Round Trails in the West Fork Teanaway Area

It’s taken years of collaboration, but a plan for sustainable trails for a section of the Teanaway Community Forest will soon be finished, and work will begin in 2022. By James Moschella

Rebooting Popular Trails for Year Round Hiking in Hood Canal

Nov 29, 2021

This summer, WTA's volunteer crews provided urgent maintenance to some of the Hood Canal’s most loved trails in order to ensure that these trails are accessible and safe for all users.

Favorite Volunteer Memories of 2021

Nov 19, 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, we asked volunteers to share some of their best moments on trail with us. From learning new skills and self-reliance to rejoining the volunteer community, we're thrilled to hear what you remember from this year on trail.

Hiker Headlines: Avalanche Forecasts, Washouts, New Trailhead, Thankful for Trails

Nov 18, 2021

Avalanche forecasting has started for the winter season. Two areas at Mount Rainier National Park are closed due to winter storm damage. A new trailhead in Spokane Valley will open this weekend. Entry fees will be waived for state lands on November 26. #GivingTuesday is coming up. And WTA is taking thanksgiving week off.

5 Ways WTA Supports the Future of Trails

Nov 17, 2021

WTA is looking to the future for anyone who likes to use trails. Here's what we're working on — and how you can help.

Celebrating a Successful Return to Youth Volunteer Vacations

Nov 17, 2021

Thanks to a lot of careful planning and hard work, we had a safe and fun summer with teen volunteers — and we got a lot of work done, too! And we're already looking ahead to next year.

Ask WTA: How do Sleeping Bag Ratings Work?

Nov 11, 2021

Few things are as comforting and important as a good sleeping bag when camping. But how are sleeping bags tested and what do temperature ratings really mean? Luckily Feathered Friends, a top manufacturer of down sleeping bags, is based right here in Washington, and they had some answers for us.

Hiker Headlines: Closed Passes, Gorge Transit, Equity on State Lands, New Trail, Fishers

Nov 11, 2021

Three mountain passes are closed for the season due to winter conditions. The new GOrge Pass will improve transit options this year. The list of fee-free days on state lands for 2022 has been announced. A new section of trail in East King County is now open. DNR’s first ever director of equity and environmental justice has been hired. And, five fishers were released in Olympic National Park this week.

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