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

Writing Trip Reports to Remember a Loved One

Jul 09, 2021

Each year, Diego Moreno's sister and mother go backpacking as part of a memorial trip for Diego, Lizzie's son and Alejandra's brother. They find the time spent in nature is a balm for them, and helps them connect with Diego.

Volunteer Profile: Jade Tabony — Data Scientist, Outdoor Adventurer & Cheez-It Enthusiast

Jul 08, 2021

We talk technology, slacklining and what it's like to give back to a cause you care about.

Hiker Headlines: Burn Bans, Highway 18 Closure, Trails Reopened

Jul 08, 2021

Expect burn bans across much of the state. A major portion of Highway 18 near Tiger Mountain will be closed this weekend. The Sunrise Road is now open at Mount Rainier. Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia River Gorge has reopened.

Making Friends on Trail, Thanks to WTA

Jul 06, 2021

WTA members Judy Cochran and Pascale Lelong met for the first time on a WTA volunteer vacation back in 2015 — and they've been hiking together ever since.

New Loops, New Hikes, New Views in the Columbia River Gorge

Jul 02, 2021

Thanks to a partnership between Washington Trails Association and Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust, the trail system at the land trust’s Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve has been improved.

Hiker Headlines: Fire Restrictions, Equitable Outdoors, Tiger Mountain, New Website Feature

Jul 02, 2021

Fire restrictions have tightened across much of Washington. A new chief of the Forest Service has been named. There is a new opportunity for public comment about equity and access to public lands services. Portions of some trails on West Tiger Mountain will be temporarily closed. A new tool on wta.org suggests new hikes.

Hikers Carrying Dogs: A Gallery of Sweetness and Hilarity

Jun 30, 2021

If you hike with a dog, there are usually a few extra safety considerations you need to take into account before you head out on trail. Not only do you need to keep yourself safe and happy, but you need to keep your pup safe, too. And sometimes ... that means giving them a ride.

New Study: Investments in Public Lands Brings Jobs, Economic Benefits

Jun 28, 2021

With hiking up 16% last year, investments in public lands are critical to sustaining the growing benefits to local and national economies from recreation.

Hiker Headlines: Heat Advisories, Wildfire Risk, Burn Bans, Temporary Trail Closures

Jun 24, 2021

Heat advisories are in effect across Washington state with temperatures expected to reach triple digits in many regions. With the increased temperatures and dry weather, burn bans are in place and wildfire risk is a concern as hikers head into the backcountry. Franklin Falls and Denny Creek trails will be temporarily closed.

How WTA Makes Technology That Helps Hikers, Protects Trails

Washington Trails Association has a long history of turning out technology to help hikers and advocate for public land stewardship on shoestring budgets. The newest feature on wta.org — a personalized hike suggestion system — is designed to do the same. By Loren Drummond

200,000 Trip Reports: Hikers Give Back, Help Other Hikers

Hikers have been in the habit of filing trip reports with Washington Trails Association for decades, and those trip reports do a lot for the hiking community. | By Loren Drummond

Your Next Hike: WTA's Newest Website Feature Makes Personalized Suggestions

Jun 22, 2021

Everyone experiences trails differently, which is why WTA's newest website feature suggests hikes just for you.

How to Go Backpacking with Your Baby

It takes planning and some extra weight, but it’s worth the effort to share the joy of the outdoors with your little one. | By Loren Drummond.

Volunteer Profile: Doris Wang

Jun 22, 2021

Doris is a well of positive energy. She came to WTA after a friend introduced her to trail work parties, and since then has brought her friends and her husband to trail work, and been a fantastic trail ambassador on social media. We asked her a few questions about why she likes volunteering and what keeps her engaged in WTA's community.

Nature on Trail: Pika, Paintbrush

Jun 21, 2021

Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two common species, the pika and paintbrush, and where you can find them.

Q&A: The Value of Trip Reports for Hiking with Kids

Jun 18, 2021

Trip reporter Robert “Ups n Downs” Shirk loves to get out on trail with his kids, and trip reports are a big part of how he researches trails. Ups N Downs is also a prolific trip reporter, and we caught up with him recently to hear more about why trip reports are so important to him for his adventures.

Hiker Headlines: New Spokane Area Trails, Peninsula Planning, Smoke Forecast, Juneteenth

Jun 17, 2021

Exciting new trail work projects are getting underway in the Spokane area. The public can participate in planning for Miller Peninsula and Sequim Bay State Parks. Discover Passes can now be checked out at Seattle Public Libraries. A new smoke forecast map will aid in finding clean air during the wildfire season. On Juneteenth, learn about and support organizations working to make the outdoors more inclusive.

Tips for Connecting With Your Kid — and Your Imagination — on Trail

By Craig Romano

Worn Wear: WTA Staff's Favorite Gear With a Story

Jun 16, 2021

All of our gear has a story to tell. It comes along with us on all of our adventures, big or small, and accumulates layers of sweat, dirt and memories over the years.

Trip Reporter Q&A: The Joy of Hiking One Area Over and Over

Jun 11, 2021

Trip reporter Birb has hiked nearly all of the trails in the Issaquah Alps — and found beauty and peace along the way.

Hiker Headlines: Get Outdoors, Federal Wins, Umtanum Bridge, Free Campsites, Artist Point

Jun 10, 2021

This Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day. WTA leaders joined Rep. Kim Schrier to promote the Legacy Roads and Trails Act in Congress. The Umtanum bridge has reopened after extensive repairs to the structure. Eddi Bauer is giving away 1,000 campsites at state parks in Washington and Oregon. Work has begun on clearing the road to Artist Point. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

Trip Reports: Hikers Helping Hikers

Jun 10, 2021

Trip reports make WTA a uniquely helpful resource for hikers in Washington. Here are a few trip reports where hikers helped out a little extra.

WTA Joins with Rep. Kim Schrier to Promote Funding for Trails and Roads

Jun 09, 2021

WTA and leaders from the recreation community in Washington gathered to promote the introduction of the Legacy Roads and Trails Act in Congress. The act would help fun road and trail maintenance, as well as environmental restoration and fish passage.

Hiker Headlines: the Great Outdoors, Trail Conditions, Hike the State

Jun 03, 2021

National Trails Day is coming up this Saturday. If you’re heading out for a hike, remember that winter conditions still exist on many trails. June is officially Great Outdoors Month. WTA’s annual Hike the State event is coming up on June 9. And you can now buy a gift card to Washington State Parks.

Meet WTA's Backcountry Pro Crew

Jun 03, 2021

This summer, WTA is excited to welcome our first professional backcountry crew! The six-person crew will spend the next few months improving trails within three stunning wilderness areas on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. They'll be working on hard-to-reach areas that don't see regular maintenance.

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Finding Gaps in the Trail Network

Jun 02, 2021

Putting a focus on trails and other ways for people to safely move around urban areas can make for a stronger trail system and a healthier community. Having nature nearby is one thing — but getting to it safely is another. A new state effort is working to eliminate gaps that make it hard for walkers, bikers or wheelchair users to get around.

Passion Projects Bring WTA Volunteers Back to Favorite Trails

Jun 01, 2021

Our volunteers often find themselves replacing worn-out structures, rebuilding tread or even rerouting trails built by WTA crews who came before them. We’re grateful for the volunteers who were part of those original crews and continue to go back, over and over again, to maintain the projects they started.

Hiker Headlines: Open Passes, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Trail Closure, Lookout For Rent

May 27, 2021

Chinook and Cayuse Passes are scheduled to open tomorrow. Remember to recreate responsibly this Memorial Day weekend. Juneteenth is the newest fee-free day on Washington recreation lands. The Baker Lake Trail is closed after several cougar encounters in the area. The Steliko lookout near Entiat is now available for rent.

Q&A: Why Trails are Important to Athletic Brewing

May 26, 2021

As the opportunity to actually get a beer with good friends opens up, we chatted with Mark Koks of Athletic Brewing to learn a bit more about why he loves trails, and how Athletic Brewing is giving back.

Hiker Headlines: Mental Health, Wildlife Win, Fire Safety, Parking Reservations, Forest Expansion

May 20, 2021

Get some #FreshAir4MentalHealth this Saturday. Wild fishers born in the North Cascades are a landmark in bringing this endangered species back. It’s wildfire awareness month: brush up on campfire safety. Visitors to the Lewis River Recreation Area will need a parking reservation this summer. A new land acquisition nearly doubled the Nisqually Community Forest. Get trail smart with WTA’s new email series.

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