Hike-a-Thon: Uniting hikers to make a difference
Every August, hikers come together to support WTA during Hike-a-Thon, our annual community fundraiser. But it's more than just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity for participants to join a community, spend time outdoors and make a difference for the trails they love. We talked to a few Hike-a-Thoners to learn why they participate.
Every August, hikers come together to support Washington Trails Association during Hike-a-Thon, our annual community fundraiser. Throughout the month, participants hike, share stories of their outdoor adventures and raise funds that directly support trails in Washington. They also have the opportunity to earn fun prizes while enjoying time outdoors. We held our first Hike-a-Thon in 2003. Since then, more than 3,600 people have hit the trail during the event to help power our work.
Hike-a-Thon is more than just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity for participants to join a community, spend time outdoors and make a difference for the trails they love. We talked to a few Hike-a-Thoners to learn why they participate and what they enjoy about this event.
Yoshiko Chomon
Yoshiko has participated in Hike-a-Thon for the last 3 years and is also an avid trail work volunteer. In fact, she wrapped up last year’s event with a multiday log-out trip to Dorothy Lake in the Snoqualmie area. Yoshiko was pleasantly surprised to discover how her friends and family rallied around her during the fundraiser.
“I was very grateful to learn of their kindness and support,” she said.
Yoshiko chooses to raise funds for WTA during Hike-a-Thon because “WTA supports our local community in a positive way. They promote outdoor activity, educate people on how to protect our lands and provide important information.”
Yoshiko and Hike-a-Thon mascot Miles the Marmot on a hike at Glendale Forest in King County.
She also enjoys participating in the bingo challenge during Hike-a-Thon. Last year, she was able to check off three bingo squares in one trip to Glendale Forest — talk about efficiency!
Owen Leiser
Owen is an assistant crew leader and dedicated trail work volunteer. He first joined Hike-a-Thon in 2021 after hearing about it while on a trail work party.
“I figured if I was going to be hiking anyway, I might as well raise some money for WTA while doing it,” Owen said. “Selfishly, from a volunteer crew leader perspective, I wanted to help pay for more trail crews!”
Owen loves that Hike-a-Thon supports things like WTA’s trail work.
Both Hike-a-Thon and trail work provide Owen with opportunities to be outside.
“Being outside helps me reduce the stress of everyday life, get exercise and see the incredible beauty around Washington state,” he said. “Working as a volunteer crew leader provides the opportunity to introduce new people to trail work and how rewarding and fun it can be.”
One of Owen’s favorite memories of Hike-a-Thon is from his first year. He and his wife tried to only hike in places they hadn’t been to before, so they visited lots of new trails and enjoyed post-hike lunches at new restaurants. Owen typically hikes around Kitsap County, but he also enjoys the trails in the Olympics and the Issaquah area. He noted that he should probably start counting all his miles hiking to and from trail work sites with tools, and we agree!
Owen is excited to continue participating in Hike-a-Thon.
“I love helping the mission of WTA through this fundraiser, and I have fun with Team Olympic Rowdies to try and beat our (mileage and fundraising) totals from previous years,” he said. “Miles the Marmot T-shirts don’t hurt, either.”
Kris Morrissey
When Kris signed up for her first Hike-a-Thon in 2021, she did so with some trepidation. It turned out that she loved spending a whole month focusing on all the activities associated with hiking.
“Participating in Hike-a-Thon helped me balance my priorities and goals,” she said. “It reminded me of the amazing natural beauty that is unique to Washington and the trails that make that beauty accessible. I am always amazed at the range of individuals and groups on the trails, from school groups, to families carrying kids in their backpacks, to older folks like myself taking advantage of every flat part of the trail. The trails truly are for anyone.”
Kris on a hiking trip with her daughter and son-in-law.
Kris participates in Hike-a-Thon as part of the family team Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, which spans three generations.
“Just the act of coming up with a name and planning some hikes together (united us) around the shared love of our family and the spectacular and diverse beauty of Washington state,” Kris said. “And participating as a team introduced the smallest bit of competition that pushed us — or at least me — to hike on those days when I could have just sat at home. Hike-a-Thon is now part of our family history. Passing on the legacy of loving and caring for our trails and the natural environment they traverse is as good as it gets!”
Kris loves introducing people who are new to hiking or to Washington to our amazing trails. When she worked at the University of Washington, she realized that many students never got out of the city, so she started organizing day hikes. Kris still hikes with some of those students, including Andrea Michelbach, who is now WTA’s director of development.
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