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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Columbia Mountain trail gets a brushing on WTA's first winter BCRT

Mar 11, 2024

In February a crew of 12 plucky volunteer snow camped to address backlogged maintenance on Columbia Mountain. See what a winter BCRT looks like.

Hiker Headlines: Free day, Mount Rainier National Park turns 125, I-90 closure

Mar 07, 2024

March 9 is Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday, and parking fees will be waived in some areas. Mount Rainier National Park just celebrated its 125th anniversary! Be aware of a couple of closures and some snowy/rainy weather this upcoming week.

Share a story: A snowy backpacking trip

Mar 04, 2024

From time to time, we like to share memorable moments from our community. Here’s one of those stories, from Hwei Ling Ng, @thenomadicartist on WTA trip reports and Instagram.

Want to avoid the snow? Hit the beach this winter.

Mar 01, 2024

Beat the snow this winter with these tips and tricks for coastal hiking.

Hiker Headlines: Mount St. Helens and North Cascades permits, plus a webinar to explain passes and permits

Feb 29, 2024

Happy Leap Day! Mount St. Helens permits will start getting released March 1, and the North Cascades early access lottery opens on March 4. If you're confused about permits, an upcoming webinar can help. And a North Shore Quinault Road closure and snowy weather might affect your upcoming hiking plans.

Hikers helped win funding that’s fixing Washington state’s longest trail

Feb 28, 2024

Two years ago, hikers like you helped secure a huge win for public lands in Washington state: $15 million of annual funding to tackle the recreation maintenance backlog on our state lands. Ever since, that funding has been improving trails, roads, bathrooms, campgrounds and more. We like to celebrate those wins, including recent work on the Palouse to Cascades Trail.

Where's the snow? WTA's newest map layer helps winter and spring hikers plan

Feb 27, 2024

WTA's new snow-depth layer helps hikers plan their trips around snow.

Fun moments from backcountry work parties

Feb 23, 2024

Yeah, we work hard and get a lot done on our backcountry work parties, but we have a lot of fun too!

Hiker Headlines: Snow coming, avalanche safety event, trip reporting prizes, WTA survey

Feb 22, 2024

It's Feb. 22. Brace for a winter storm this weekend. While you're weathering it, you can sign up for our backcountry trips on Saturday morning, and complete our community survey, which closes on Sunday. And next week marks the end of the Enchantments lottery period as well as our #lovelocaltrails promotion. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

WTA visits Washington, D.C., to ask for the funding trails and hikers need

Feb 20, 2024

WTA is advocating for Congress to pass the Transit to Trails Act, which would create a federal grant program to fund more public transportation to trailheads. More than 1,640 people have signed a WTA petition to express their support for this bill. Michael Decramer, WTA’s policy and planning manager, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to deliver those petition signatures and to participate in the 27th annual Hike the Hill.

8 tips for land-based whale watching

Feb 16, 2024

Washington has some of the best land-based whale watching opportunities in the United States. Celebrating International Whale Day on Feb. 18 we are sharing with a few tips on best practices for land-based whale watching.

Hiker Headlines: Rainier and Enchantments lotteries open, WTA launches snow layer, volunteer backcountry trip preview

Feb 15, 2024

Lotteries for early access to permits for Mount Rainier and the Enchantment have opened. WTA's volunteer backcountry trips will be available to preview tomorrow and Mount Rainier’s timed-access reservations open next week. Some closures might affect your hiking plans this week. Plus, we just launched a snow depth layer on our Hike Finder Map to help you plan your weekend.

How an introductory backcountry work party helped one volunteer feel more comfortable backpacking

Feb 14, 2024

Jess Wolf had never been backpacking before signing up for a 3-day intro BCRT work party. Not only did she gain more trail work experience that weekend, but she left with the confidence to take on more backpacking trips afterward.

Seven tips to stay warm hiking on cold days

Feb 09, 2024

What you wear, the food you choose and even where you sit to take a break — they all make a difference to staying comfortable when hiking in winter.

Hiker Headlines: Backcountry permit season starting, winter hiking bingo

Feb 08, 2024

Backcountry permit season starts next week. Submit your winter hiking bingo card to us this week for a chance to win a WTA thermos. Be aware of a couple of closures when planning your hikes this week. Buy your tickets now for a symphony event celebrating Washington’s landscapes. Plus, happy Lunar New Year and happy Valentine’s Day!

8 ways hikers are benefitting from critical federal funding

Feb 07, 2024

WTA was thrilled in 2020 when we rallied our hiking community and joined with partners to help pass the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). Here’s some of the work that the GAOA has supported in Washington state, from 2021 through 2023, to help support millions of outdoor experiences.

Western Washington Honda Dealers: A True Partner for Trails and WTA

Feb 06, 2024

We're grateful to have Western Washington Honda Dealers as a corporate partners with shared values around community and the outdoors. Here's the incredible impact they had on our work in 2023. By Brynna Counts-Morgan

WTA Trailhead Ambassadors: Here for You on Trails

Feb 05, 2024

WTA and partners put ambassadors at trailheads all across the state in 2023. Learn where they connected with hikers and how they built a safer, more responsible hiking community. By Nicole Masih-Théberge

The Bill Murray approach to winter safety — 5 habits worth repeating on every winter hike

Feb 02, 2024

You don’t have to get stuck in a time loop to learn how to enjoy winter hiking and stay safe along the way.

Hiker Headlines: #LoveLocalTrails giveaway, North Cascades permit fee changes, Forest road hazards

Feb 01, 2024

Take part in our #LoveLocalTrails giveaway in this February! Join WTA and Pierce County Parks to learn more about safe winter recreation virtually on Feb. 17. North Cascades National Park is implementing a new permit fee structure in March of this year. Be aware of a couple of road hazards in Olympic National Forest this week, as well as delays on SR 18 next to Tiger Mountain if you’ve got any sunrise or sunset hiking plans.

The work is easier when we do it together

Jan 31, 2024

WTA is fortunate to have many partners who help us get work done: members, volunteers, advocates, community partners and land agencies. A big part of our work is also made possible by corporate partners. These businesses step up to help trails by donating their time, products and proceeds to support WTA’s work. Here’s a look at three of the over 20 companies that generously support our work for trails for everyone, forever.