New Book Shares Stories of Northwest Women Who Helped Shape Our History

Joan Burton has been a key figure in the Northwest outdoor community for decades. She wrote “Best Hikes with Kids in Western Washington and the Cascades,” in addition to other books. 

Joan Burton (above, on a ski trip in 1958) has written a new book that includes WTA’s founder, Louise Marshall. Bob and Ira Spring Photos.

Her new book, “Footprints in Snow: Seven Brave Women Who Shaped the History of the Northwest Mountains,” shares the story of other iconic women in the history of the outdoors. 

The book is for anyone, but is particularly targeted for tweens and teens, features Louise Marshall, who founded Washington Trails Association. Joan hiked regularly with the Happy Hikers, a group that Louise led. 

“When my children were in school, I joined them,” Joan said. “Once a week we followed her onto rural Snohomish County roads and trails. She was just starting Signpost magazine, and so we heard how she inquired about trail conditions by making phone calls each week, and then writing what she had learned in the next Signpost hiking bulletin. As far as we knew, publishing trail reports had never been done here before. Louise was an innovator. Out of the popularity of the magazine came the first hiking organization, the Washington Trails Association.”

The book, which is out now, also features Fay Fuller, Phyllis Munday, Catherine Montgomery, Polly Dyer, Pam Bobroff and Joan Firey. Get more info, including how to buy the book, at joanburton.org.