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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Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Now Hiring, Deception Pass Closures, Freezing Weekend
Jan 11, 2024
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and parking fees are waived in some areas. WTA is hiring! Share your thoughts with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources as they develop a statewide recreation plan. Be aware of some closures at Deception Pass State Park due to storm damage. And we’ve got a very cold weekend coming.
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WTA's Goals for the State Legislature — and How You Can Help
Jan 09, 2024
Washington state’s legislative session – this year Jan. 8 through March 7 – is an important time for trail advocates like you to speak up in support of public lands and trails as legislators work to prioritize funding and policies for the state. This legislative session, WTA is supporting state land managers’ – Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — funding requests so that they are able to provide high quality recreational experiences on their lands.
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DNR wants your input to plan the next 10 years for their lands
Jan 08, 2024
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites you to public meetings in person on Jan. 18 or 23 or online on Feb. 1 or 6 to share your thoughts as the agency develops their Outdoor Access and Responsible Recreation Strategic Plan. This will be DNR’s first statewide plan for recreation, and public input will help shape the plan.
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Hiker Headlines: Thank You, Members! Snow is Coming, More Protected Lands
Jan 04, 2024
Happy New Year! A huge thank you to our members for all we accomplished together in 2023. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has acquired another 86 acres of land for conservation, bringing the total amount to over 1,700 acres in 2023. We can expect some snow coming to the mountains this weekend.
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Thank you land managers, for making 2023 a great year
Jan 03, 2024
2023 was the 30th anniversary of our trail maintenance program, and we got a lot of work done, thanks to our rich partnerships with dozens of land managers across the state. We are so grateful for the support provided by our agency partners. Here are some highlights from 2023!
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Take an Urban Hike to Octavia Butler Avenue
Jan 02, 2024
Science fiction author Octavia Butler lived in north Seattle from 1999–2006. In 2003, the city of Lake Forest Park celebrated her by naming her former street in her honor. By Linnea Johnson
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We ❤️ Our Members
Dec 28, 2023
Join four WTA staffers on why members are at the center of everything we do. By WTA staff
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Start 2024 Outside with Washington State Park's First Day Hikes
Dec 28, 2023
Spend your New Year's Day outside with Washington State Parks with their fun First Days Hikes activities this year!
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A WTA Work Party was a Life-Changing Trip for One Youth Volunteer
Dec 27, 2023
How one connection made on a youth volunteer vacation was life-changing for a young trail volunteer.
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Thank You, Community Leaders, for Getting Washington Outside!
Dec 21, 2023
2023 is the Outdoor Leadership Training program’s 10th Anniversary and it’s been a banner year! From all of us at WTA we want to say THANK YOU to the community of leaders from 68 organizations who have joined a workshop, planned, coordinated or led outdoor trips for their school or community this year.
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Hiker Headlines: Winter Solstice, First Day Hikes, Echo Ridge Ski Area Opening
Dec 21, 2023
Happy winter solstice! The Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area will be open for the season starting Dec. 22, and Taylor Mountain's Road K Trail will be closed for about a month starting Dec. 27. Ring in the new year with Washington State Parks’ First Day Hikes. And the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will be holding public meetings in early 2024 to help make a statewide recreation plan.
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Clearing Trails (and Our Story Queue): 6 Stories We Missed
Dec 20, 2023
All year long, all across the state, WTA volunteer crews maintain the trails you hike. Each volunteer contributes to fixed bridges, improved tread or other personally impactful projects, and there are more stories than we can tell in a year! Here are a few that slipped under the radar but we want to celebrate now.
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Why Going Outside is Good For You According to Science
Dec 18, 2023
While hiking nourishes each of us in a unique way, we know there are physical and mental health benefits from getting outdoors. Here are three ways recent science has found benefits to getting outside.
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Hiker Headlines: Mountain Loop Highway Closed, WTA is Hiring, Pacific Northwest Trail Plan Released
Dec 14, 2023
WTA is currently hiring for a couple of seasonal positions and one permanent position. Be aware of some road closures that might affect your hiking plans. A portion of the Methow Valley Wildlife Area is closing temporarily to protect the mule deer population. And the Forest Service has released its Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail comprehensive plan.
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8 Crafty Projects by WTA Staff to Inspire Your Own Handmade Gifts
Dec 12, 2023
Time on trail is inspirational. And for WTA staff, we're often inspired in a very tangible way. (Maybe because we build trails for a living?) We like to get our hands on things, to tinker with gear, pack our paints and experiment. As the days get shorter, and we spend a bit more time warm and cozy indoors, it seemed like a good time to share some of the beautiful things that WTA staff are making by hand.
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In-Person Connections: 5 Ways WTA's Volunteer Ambassadors Helped Hikers
Dec 08, 2023
Community building happens on trail, online and in-person and it's an integral part fulfilling WTA’s mission. One way we're doing that work is thanks to our amazing WTA volunteer ambassadors, who are regularly making in-person connections.
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“In Awe of All That WTA Does” — Members Tell Us Why They Support Trails
Dec 08, 2023
Six hikers tell us why they are WTA members.
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Hiker Headlines: WTA Gift Memberships, Outdoor Jobs, Lake 22 Closure, Natural Area Grows
Dec 07, 2023
If you’re still looking for holiday gifts, consider gifting your loved ones a WTA membership! Several organizations are hiring for outdoor positions right now. The Lake 22 trail closure has been extended through December. Nearly 800 acres of land was added to Dabob Bay Natural Area earlier this week. And expect some snow and rain storms this weekend!
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12 Essentials of Christmas Hiking
Dec 04, 2023
It's almost officially winter. Do you have these 12 Essentials?
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Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 Closure, America the Beautiful Pass Update, Snowy Forecasts
Nov 30, 2023
Thank you for your support during GivingTuesday! Highway 20 is closing for the season. The America the Beautiful Pass, also known as the Interagency Annual Pass, is changing to allow a single cardholder in 2024. Expect snow in and east of the mountains this weekend. And Bronka Sundstrom, once the oldest woman to summit Mount Rainier, has passed away at the age of 98.
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WTA Completes New Tiger Mountain Reroute
Nov 29, 2023
In November, WTA crews finished up a 2-year project on Tiger Mountain, clearing hundreds of downed trees and wrenching more than 40 stumps out of the ground.
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