A Running Calendar, Community Dedicated to Protecting Trails

This week, WTA trip reporter and trail runner LDistal, filed a report of an incredible 13+ hour, 53 mile run in the Pasayten Wilderness. Last year, athlete Krissy Moehl ran the entire 93-mile Wonderland Wonderland Trail in a record-setting 22 hours, 22 minutes.

Washington's trail runners can cover a lot of ground in the backcountry, which is just one reason they have such a huge stake in protecting the condition of the trails there.

From regulars of Cougar Mountain and Mount Spokane to the ultra-runners who seek out the remotest corners of the state, runners are among Washington’s most dedicated and enthusiastic trail supporters. And among the most tireless are Glenn Tachiyama and Wendy Wheeler-Jacobs, who coordinate the annual Tribute to Trails calendar.

Tribute to the Trails project breaks records with $27,000 gift

This month, Washington Trails Association received a generous gift of more than $27,000 from the Tribute to the Trails calendar fundraiser—a new record! Currently in its 9^th year, the Tribute to the Trails calendar was established as a fundraiser for WTA. Photographer and trail runner Glenn Tachiyama and WTA Board President Wendy Wheeler-Jacobs spearheaded the project, producing the stunning calendar.

Filled with amazing photos of runners on local trails, and a wealth of information about races across the country, the Tribute to the Trails calendar is offered for sale online and in stores, with all proceeds benefiting WTA. Photos from this year’s calendar can be found online, including one featuring staff member and trail runner Julie Cassata!

Thank you for protecting, supporting your favorite trails

Thank you, Glenn and Wendy, and thank you to everyone who purchased calendars, the local retailers who offered the calendar for sale, and companies who made a gift or otherwise supported the project. Your contribution helps WTA protect our trails and wildlands and supports our volunteer trail maintenance crews—like the two Volunteer Vacation crews who just returned this week from clearing and repairing trails in both the Pasayten Wilderness and on the Wonderland Trail.

Supporting WTA means supporting our volunteers. A crew of volunteers spent a week in early June repairing sections of the Wonderland Trail. Photo by Kathy Bogaards.