Signpost Blog
"This little newsletter has been an experiment so far, testing a hunch I've had that such a means of communication among walkers is needed." — Signpost magazine, 1966.
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Shoring Up the Neighborhood Trails that Provide Everyday Escapes
Feb 24, 2021
WTA is hard at work making sure urban parks all over Washington are getting the love they deserve, including a recent project in Tacoma.
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Hiking Alone in Winter, Finding Peace and Quiet on the Trail
Feb 19, 2021
Even those of us who relish this season can get mired in it, despairing that going outside will never be fun or easy again. In these doldrums of winter, one of the cures for finding joy is, counterintuitively, hiking alone.
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Hiker Headlines: Permit Changes, Snow Closures, Outdoor Jobs
Feb 18, 2021
It’s February 18. Mount Rainier National Park announced changes to their backcountry permitting system. Some popular trailheads are temporarily closed due to heavy snow. Many land managers are hiring for summer seasonal positions. Last weekend’s lowland snow transformed nearby parks into winter wonderlands. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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Mount Rainier Tries Out New Backcountry Camping Permits Process in 2021
Feb 18, 2021
Here's what you need to know start planning your summer adventures in Mount Rainier National Park and on the Wonderland Trail. The early access lottery starts March 2.
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Ask WTA: How Are Bear Cans Tested?
Feb 17, 2021
If you’ve ever hauled a bear canister along on a backpacking trip, you know they’re sturdy. And, if you’ve ever tried to open one while tired or in the dark, you know they can be tricky to get into. But how do the manufacturers of approved bear canisters actually know that a bear can’t get into them?
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Hiker Headlines: Weather Advisory, Lunar New Year, Backcountry Trips, LWCF
Feb 11, 2021
It’s February 11. This weekend promises to bring extreme winter weather. Lunar New Year is tomorrow. Registration for WTA’s backcountry trips goes live this Saturday. There are new changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We have valentines for that special hiker in your life.
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Nature on Trail: Cougar and Licorice Fern
Feb 08, 2021
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the cougar and licorice fern, and where you can find them.
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Hiker Headlines: Marmot Meteorologist, Permit Planning, Face Masks, New Statue
Feb 04, 2021
It’s February 4. A groundhog forecasts 6 more weeks of winter. Applications for backcountry permits will open soon with some changes due to the pandemic. The National Park Service announced a mask requirement in buildings, facilities and outside where physical distancing is not possible. A statue of Billy Frank Jr. may replace the current statue that represents Washington State at the National Capitol.
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See Wildlife on a Hike? Your Observations Help Conservation Researchers
Jan 29, 2021
Spot a bat, Pacific marten or Prairie falcon on your hike? After the ecological damage of recent wildfires, conservation researchers at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife need your observations from the trail more than ever.
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Hiker Headlines: New Sno-Park, Backcountry Trips, Take Action, Climate Plan
Jan 28, 2021
It’s January 28. A new Sno-Park was just announced. Sign up for WTA’s volunteer backcountry trips is almost here, with a few changes. New ways to take action for trails. And, the President lays out a plan for climate and conservation. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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WTA's Hiking Guide is Coming to Your Neighborhood
Jan 27, 2021
Having trails close to home is an important piece of the puzzle to create an extensive and accessible trail network. That's why we’ve added over 100 local parks and trails to our hiking guide. These descriptions include details like transit directions, park facilities, and parking information.
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Speak Up to Protect the Enchantments & Wilderness
Jan 26, 2021
The Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is an iconic hiking destination in Washington. A proposed dam project on Eightmile Lake and other water projects have a new open comment period through Feb. 1. Join WTA in speaking up to reduce impact and ensure the project doesn't set new precedents for activities in wilderness areas.
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Get Ready for WTA's 2021 Backcountry Trips
Jan 26, 2021
Join WTA this summer. Backpack to a gorgeous place, do some trail work, and feel good about helping Washington's trail be some of the best.
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Hiker Headlines: Snow-Free Hikes, Wildfire Help, Changes to LWCF, Mask Up, Trail Closure
Jan 21, 2021
It’s January 21. Lowland hikes offer hassle-free winter outings. An executive order reinforces mask-wearing on public lands. House Bill 1168 offers help for wildfires. WTA is tracking and responding to last minute changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. And, the Snow Lakes Trail will be closed for several weeks this winter. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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Hiker Headlines: In Remembrance, MLK Day, Busy Slopes, Legislative Priorities, Public Planning
Jan 14, 2021
It’s January 14. We remember Leonard Sauer. A fee-free day is coming up on Monday in honor of MLK Day. Snow play areas are now open at Paradise, but busy slopes make alternate plans necessary. WTA has announced our priorities for the 2021 legislative session. And, check out two opportunities to provide input for public land planning. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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It's All Online: Legislative Session and Hiker Rally 2021
Jan 11, 2021
The 2021 legislative session is now underway. Learn about WTA's budget priorities and how to use your voice to support trails and public lands.
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Thank You, Land Managers!
Jan 08, 2021
Without our agency partners, we wouldn’t have trails to work on.
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Hiker Headlines: Sno-Parks, Highway 20, Gorge Trails, Winning Photos
Jan 07, 2021
It’s January 7. Review tips for visiting Sno-parks. The North Cascades Highway closure boundary moved farther east. Trails in the Eagle Creek area have reopened. Check out the winning photos from WTA’s Northwest Exposure contest. And, a website where you can listen to forests from around the world. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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Creating a Refuge for People of Color in the Outdoors
Jan 05, 2021
How Chevon Powell built an event for people of color in the outdoors — and why that’s more important than ever right now. By Crystal Gartner
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Hiker Headlines: Goodbye 2020, Winter Wonders, the Other Washington
Dec 30, 2020
It’s December 30. As the year ends, we look back on all the great work the WTA community accomplished in 2020. Getting outside during the winter is great for mental health, plus fee-free days make it easy to explore new state parks. Mount Rainier announced changes to its winter activities. And congressmembers in Washington D.C. asked for funding for local parks. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
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Bringing Nature Closer to Home in Southwest Washington
Dec 30, 2020
WTA has been helping to make Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge into an easily accessible bit of nature. Thanks to a new path that offers a safe walking route, hikers now have two different ways to walk to the refuge from downtown Ridgefield. And those two routes can even be combined to create a 5-mile loop.
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