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: Hike-a-Thon, Highway 20 Repaving, Dog Mountain Trailhead to Move, Firework Safety

Jun 30, 2022

Registration opens for WTA’s Hike-a-Thon on July 1. Some roads and parking lots on Highway 20 will be affected by a repaving project this month. Plans to move the Dog Mountain trailhead have kicked off. And, please help prevent wildfires this weekend.

9 Tips for Being Everyone’s Favorite Hiking Buddy

Jun 27, 2022

The next time you head out with a new hiking companion, whether it’s a brand-new friend or someone you’ve known for decades, we have some tips for how to have a great time — and ensure you’re always on the invite list for future hikes.

Hiker Headlines: Volunteer Trailhead Ambassador Program, Closures and Openings, State Park Expansion

Jun 23, 2022

Join Glacier Peak Institute in a pilot volunteer trailhead ambassador program at Barlow Pass this summer. Baker Lake and Baker River roads will be closed for repair through July 1. Near Winthrop, trails and campgrounds are open after reconstruction from the Cub Creek fire in 2021. And Beacon Rock State Park is getting expanded after a land acquisition.

This Summer: Volunteer on the Mountain Loop Highway

Jun 22, 2022

Spread knowledge about Leave No Trace and responsible recreation by volunteering as a trailhead ambassador on the Mountain Loop Highway this summer.

Summer Survival Guide: Hiking with Babies, Kids and Teens

Jun 21, 2022

Motivating reluctant kids, backpacking with a baby or knowing when your teen is ready to hike without you — here are 5 articles to help you get your kids, from babies to teens, out on trail this summer.

Clearing the Way for Summer Adventures: Where We've Worked so Far

Jun 20, 2022

Spring is an exciting time at WTA. The snow is melting, the flowers are blooming and our intrepid backcountry volunteers make their way out on trail to begin clearing the path for summer.

Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Closures, Youth Trail Work Parties

Jun 16, 2022

This Sunday, Juneteenth, is a fee-free day at state managed lands. Ruby Beach is now closed for construction. A restoration project in the Upper South Fork Skokomish and repaving projects along Highway 20 will impact some trailhead access. Your hike can help inform research on pink snow. And, WTA invites you to join us on a youth trail work party this summer.

5 Tips to Get Your Friends to Help Protect Trails

Jun 15, 2022

We recently talked to three hikers who have advocated for trails in official and unofficial ways about what works best to get friends on board for saving trails.

Hiker Headlines: Free Days, Outdoor Rec Funding, Road Openings, Methow Planning

Jun 09, 2022

Enjoy a fee-free visit to the trailhead weekend. The Department of Agriculture unveiled $503 million of funding for outdoor recreation projects. Chinook Pass is set to reopen on June 10. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is hosting a public workshop to discuss development of the Methow Wildlife Area. And, Washington State Parks will be starting up their summer outdoor concert series.

Using Trails to See the Bigger Picture

Jun 08, 2022

Bri Ross, a member of WTA's Emerging Leaders Program, has long been interested in using recreation ecology to understand the natural world.

I'm a Hiker. This is What that Means to Me.

Jun 06, 2022

What does it mean to be a hiker? The question is our own to answer.

Lost Trails Found Crews Bring Big Boost to Backcountry Trails

Jun 03, 2022

This summer, WTA will be leading two six-person crews into the backcountry to tackle some of our biggest projects.

Hiker Headlines: Hike the State, Campground Openings, Hike Closures, More Rain

Jun 02, 2022

Join Washington Trails Association for Hike the State next Wednesday, June 8. Some campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park have reopened for the season. Upcoming construction will close a few hikes and cause some delays in the I-90 corridor. Sula Jacobs has been selected as superintendent for Olympic National Park. And, prepare for more rainy weather this week.

Is it Summer Yet? What Hikers Found Around the State on Memorial Day Weekend

Jun 01, 2022

For many, Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time to get outside. With summer approaching, countless hikers are often itching to hike in nicer weather. This year, it was a little harder to find sunny weather, but that didn’t stop hikers from heading somewhere to spend some time in nature to kick off the summer season. Here are some of our favorite recent trip reports showcasing what hikers got up to over this long weekend.

Why is That Snow Pink?

May 27, 2022

If you hike near snow in the summer, you’ve likely seen pink snow. It’s a striking sight, sometimes quite a vivid color pooled in melted areas, sometimes just a blush of pink dusted across a lingering snowfield.

Hiker Headlines: New Beer, Road Openings, Campground Delay

May 26, 2022

Join WTA, Fremont Brewing and REI at a launch of a new beer to celebrate Washington’s trails. Some campgrounds in Gifford Pinchot National Forest have delayed opening. Cayuse Pass will open for the season on Friday, May 28. Fees at some recreation sites in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are increasing. And, a section of the Mountain Loop Highway has opened early after the winter season.

Take the Bus: Trailhead Direct is Back for 2022

May 24, 2022

Trailhead Direct is starting its 2022 season this Memorial Day weekend. The service provides transit access to nearby trailheads from Seattle. Ryan Miller from King County Metro and Ryan Dotson from King County Parks give some insight into the service.

WTA Helps You Hike Like A Pro

May 24, 2022

Our mission is to mobilize hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. And that means empowering our hiking community to tailor their time outside to what they need, when they need it.

Hiker Headlines: Trailhead Direct, North Cascades Walk-Up Permits, Palouse to Cascades Forest Project

May 19, 2022

Trailhead Direct is returning for another summer of transit to trails. Point Defiance Park’s Five Mile Drive has been closed to motorized vehicles due to erosion, but remains open to hikers and bikers. A forest health project to help prevent wildfires may impact parts of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. And, starting May 20, North Cascades National Park backcountry permits can be reserved in person.

How Kitsap County Volunteers Are Building Up Their Trails

May 17, 2022

Over the last few years, volunteers, including volunteer crew leaders, have accomplished a lot of work to give hikers and other trail users improved opportunities to get outside in Kitsap County. Two of those volunteers, Patrick and Marji Sullivan, have become integral in the Kitsap County trail work community and are helping expand access to public green spaces in the area.

How Backcountry Crews Put in Log Bridges in Challenging Locations

May 13, 2022

If you’ve ever crossed a log foot bridge, you’ve probably been grateful for the safe route across a river. But have you ever wondered how those log bridges get installed?