Stories & News

Get the latest news, how-to advice, and feature articles about the trail community, the current hiking season and issues impacting trails you love.

Get local news, how-to advice, and feature articles about our trail community, the current hiking season in Washington and issues impacting trails you love.

Learn more about: WTA member magazine | Signpost blog

Hiker Headlines: WTA is hiring, Hoh Rain Forest closure, Oregon state park fee increases

Jan 02, 2025

Happy New Year from all of us at WTA! We are currently hiring for a full-time professional crew coordinator. The Upper Hoh Road is temporarily closed due to imminent road failure. Olympic National Forest has announced some big forest health projects coming up. Some Oregon state park fees have increased for the 2025 season. And there’s snow hitting the mountains this weekend!

29 hiking resolution ideas to find joy in 2025!

Dec 30, 2024

Although number of hikes, mileage and elevation gain may seem like some of the most obvious hiking goals you can make, there are plenty of other hiking projects you can embark on that are just as fun and get you outside all the same. We've got some ideas for you.

Partnership With Kalispel Tribe Creates New Trails North of Spokane

Dec 30, 2024

A trail system at Indian Creek Community Forest is helping the Kalispel Tribe provide education, recreation, and community to the Tribe and broader community members.

Kick off 2025 outside with a First Day Hike and a trip report!

Dec 27, 2024

Ring in the new year by joining Washington State Parks at a First Day Hike near you!

Helping WTA Help Hikers

Dec 27, 2024

One of the special things about WTA’s vision of Trails for Everyone, Forever, is that it brings together hikers, land managers, advocates and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. This work is also valued by companies who want to have a positive impact on their local community, like WTA’s partners at Western Washington Honda Dealers. Their support is helping us get more done for trails.

12 Women and 4 Horses Fix a Trail

WTA and Back Country Horsemen of Washington team up for their first all-women volunteer trip. By Victoria Obermeyer.

Hiker Headlines: Hiker Rally Day; ski area openings, state park closures

Dec 19, 2024

Happy winter solstice! Some exciting 2025 hiker events have been announced, including Hiker Rally Day on March 18. Several state parks are closed until further notice due to storm damage, but — good news — all of the ski resorts along the Washington Cascade crest have opened for the winter.

A cure for trail burnout

If you’re feeling a bit blah about hiking, these tips can help you find the spark again. By Craig Romano

How WTA ambassadors helped hikers across the state this year

WTA’s dedicated ambassadors spread the joy of hiking in 2024 through connection, awareness and education. By Nicole Masih-Théberge.

Subtle signs: tips for winter wildlife tracking

Winter is the ideal time to slow down and look for the subtle signs of wildlife on trail. Here are some tips to get you started. By Jack Shaw

Hiker Headlines: Wallace Falls, Squak Mountain closed due to storm damage; 2025 fee-free days announced

Dec 12, 2024

Two popular state parks are closed until further notice due to damage from the bomb cyclone. Some land managers have shared their 2025 fee-free days! And the snow line is dropping low in the mountains this weekend.

My year at Rainier: A goal to hike all of the mountain's trails

One hiker’s quest to see it all, and how WTA helped her get there. | By Catherine Vine

Thank you, Jim, for 35 years of copy editing!

Dec 09, 2024

After 35 years of volunteer editing Washington Trails magazine, Jim Cavin is finally enjoying a well-earned retirement. Join us in thanking him! By WTA staff

Hiker Headlines: Free pass, tree for 4th graders; winter hours and closures around the state

Dec 05, 2024

Olympic National Park has started its winter operations. Be aware of some closures, including an extension of the Lake 22 trail closure. The Washington Department of Natural Resources has started two large cleanup projects. And the Forest Service is reminding families with fourth graders that their Every Kid Outdoors program is offering free America the Beautiful passes and Christmas tree permits.

Celebrating the lives of those we lost in 2024

Dec 05, 2024

We take a moment to reflect on the lives of some of those who we've recently lost. They are missed, but we will remember and celebrate their lives and contributions to our community for years to come.

5 WTA partner organizations to support this Giving Tuesday

Dec 02, 2024

Washington Trails Association believes that trails are for everyone, forever. This year for Giving Tuesday, we are highlighting five WTA partner groups that are making sure everyone has access to experience nature in meaningful ways. Please consider sharing your generosity with these organizations.

Trip report roundup: Trees down, snow sticking around

Nov 22, 2024

With winter storms rolling into the region and a bomb cyclone knocking down trees (in addition to power for many communities), the conditions on trails have changed a lot in the last week. Some parks, like Wallace Falls State Park, are closed due to the extent of the damage.

WTA teams up with Everett to increase access to local trails

Nov 22, 2024

An exciting project and major victory for WTA's Trails Next Door campaign is now underway in South Everett. Crews will be working to increase accessibility and walkability to green spaces and trails.

Hiker Headlines: Highway 20, Mountain Loop Highway closing; WTA closed Thanksgiving week

Nov 21, 2024

Heads up: Highway 20 is closed for the winter, and the Mountain Loop Highway and Mount Pilchuck Road are closing this week. WTA is also closed next week for Thanksgiving. WTA is currently hiring for 2025 seasonal positions. And Mount Rainier National Park has announced its major 2025 construction projects.

5 surprising ways WTA members are making trails for everyone, forever possible

Nov 20, 2024

From equipping outdoor educators with snowshoes for their students to helping hikers at trailheads, here are 5 cool things our members support.

Book shows why nature is so vital for kids and families — and offers tips

Trails can help kids form a solid connection to nature. But being a parent is hard and this book offers practical tips to help get kids of all ages outside. By Linnea Johnson

WTA helps open new Mount Spokane trail, builds bridges, trains trail and saw skills, celebrates one of our own

Nov 14, 2024

WTA has had a busy few months, training folks at Snohomish County and Washington Conservation Corps, working on trails across the state and celebrating one of our own winning an award from the Washington State Trails Coalition.

Hiker Headlines: Christmas tree permits available, rain and snow on the way, Hwy 20 weekend closure

Nov 14, 2024

Christmas tree-cutting permits are available now at Okanogan-Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot national forests. And we’ve got lots of precipitation coming this weekend, which also means a weekend closure for Highway 20 in the North Cascades.

Behind the seams with local outdoor gear and apparel company, Outdoor Research

Nov 13, 2024

When you pass a hiker, trail runner or snowshoer this winter, there’s a chance you’ll be sharing the trail with one of the people designing or testing gear for iconic Seattle-based outdoor gear and apparel company, Outdoor Research (OR).

Belonging and Joy: One WTA staff member’s journey to finding her space in the outdoors

Angelic Friday has been an integral part of WTA's team for years, but her love of the outdoors began much earlier. | By Tiffany Chou

Take action: Forest Service cuts to seasonal staffing will hurt trails and recreational access

Nov 12, 2024

A budget crisis at the U.S. Forest Service will reduce its ability to maintain trails, clean restrooms, collect trash and steward public lands. Learn what is happening and how you can help.

Shape the next 10 years for Oyster Dome, Mount Si, Gothic Basin, Yacolt Burn and more

Nov 08, 2024

Washington Department of Natural Resources recently released its first-ever statewide plan to guide recreation and public access, including hiking, over the next 10 years and across 5.6 million acres. Give your feedback before November 21.

Hiker Headlines: Chinook and Cayuse passes close for season, sno-park permit season starts

Nov 07, 2024

Veterans day is Nov. 11 and parking fees will be waived on state and federal lands. More roads have closed for the winter — including Eightmile Road in the Enchantments and Chinook and Cayuse passes at Mount Rainier — and it’s sno-park season. And good news: New bear boxes have been installed in some wildlife areas in northeast Washington!

Looking ahead to 2025: WTA’s commitment to trails and to our community

Nov 06, 2024

In 2025, you can count on WTA continuing to be a fierce advocate for public lands. We’re eager to get to work protecting them for everyone, forever, together with all who love the outdoors. We hope you’ll become part of our movement for trails and public lands

The magic math of a single sleeping bag

Nov 04, 2024

When you are camping, a sleeping bag not only is an important survival tool but can provide a lot of comfort while you’re away from home. For people who are new to camping, a quality sleeping bag can make or break an entire trip.