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: Trailhead Direct is back, it's backcountry overnight permit season, Mount St. Helens trail closures

May 16, 2024

Trailhead Direct is starting back up again for the hiking season — and bringing back some routes! The backcountry overnight permit seasons for North Cascades National Park and the Enchantments are starting. And there are some funding wins to celebrate this week.

WTA's Emerging Leaders Program ends on a high note

May 16, 2024

"It has been fulfilling to see where ELP alumni interests propel them on their endeavors after completing this program."

Join WTA on May 21 for trail recommendations from our local experts

May 14, 2024

Build your hiking wish list with WTA staff experts.

Hiker Headlines: Tiger Mountain trail closures, North Cascades summer operations, safety tips for warm weekend

May 09, 2024

Be aware of some trail and road closures. North Cascades National Park has announced its summer operations. And we have a warm weekend coming up!

What I learned from a year of (unintentional) Type 2 fun

A year of heartbreak and injury was not what I would have chosen. But as I healed, I learned a lot about how the barriers in life can be an important part of our path. By Martell Hesketh

Hiking beyond Washington

Our state is full of gorgeous trails — but if you want to explore farther, here are suggestions for three areas overflowing with trails. By Craig Romano

How to find (and protect) wildflowers on your spring hikes

May 06, 2024

Tap the incredible community of trip reporters to follow the bloom across Washington. Plus, get tips on how to get stunning photographs of flowers, without ever stepping foot off trail.

Local trails, local sips: WTA’s favorite teatime eateries across Washington

Thirsty for a fun eatery after hitting your favorite local trail? Wet your whistle with these suggestions from WTA staff. By Joseph Gonzalez

Hiker Headlines: Hike the State, Big Four Ice Caves, Longmire to Paradise Road

May 02, 2024

Join WTA for Hike the State on May 21. GiveBIG for trails is May 7-8! Be aware of some closures that could affect your hiking plans, including a temporary closure of the Big Four Ice Caves trail. The Longmire to Paradise Road nightly closures are over for the season. There’s also some exciting campground news — many are opening up and one has just undergone a big improvement project.

Good gaiters, happy feet

All year long, a pair of gaiters can make your hiking a lot more comfortable. By Sandra Saathoff

Volunteering made easy

Learn 4 things that keep people from volunteering — and what we’re doing about it. By Loren Drummond

Using technology to help people connect with and protect wild places since 1966

Apr 29, 2024

How WTA continues to embrace technologies old and new in order to meet the needs of the day.

Hiker Headlines: GiveBIG, WTA jobs, North Cascades grizzlies, Mountain Loop Highway

Apr 25, 2024

GiveBIG early giving is open! WTA is hiring for a full-time volunteer and training coordinator. Timed-entry permits for all dates in Mount Rainier National Park this summer will be available to reserve on May 1. Permits will be required to park at the Dog Mountain and Augspurger Mountain trailhead starting April 27. A decision on restoring grizzlies to the North Cascades has been announced. Part of the Mountain Loop Highway has reopened after the winter season.

5 ways to connect with WTA this spring

Apr 18, 2024

Check out these tips and tricks to connect with trails this spring. By Nicole Masih-Théberge

New trail opens in Sammamish, connecting local parks system

Apr 18, 2024

WTA collaborated with the City of Sammamish to build a new trail in Big Rock Park South, the third of three sections of park generously donated to the city. The new trail connects to 4 miles of trails throughout Big Rock Parks North and Central, as well as the city center, further increasing walkability and access to nature in Sammamish. By Victoria Obermeyer

Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 opening, free days, meteor shower, tick season

Apr 18, 2024

The North Cascades Highway will open on April 19! Parking fees will be waived in some areas on April 20 and April 22. Construction work has started along US 101 that will cause delays this summer. There’s a meteor shower this weekend, and we’re officially in tick season.

Young hikers build interactive art exhibit to educate about trails

Apr 12, 2024

A group of six students designed a built a tool to encourage responsible hiking and volunteering on Badger Mountain in the Tri-Cities. And they will show it off at a national event.

Hiker Headlines: Olympic National Park backcountry permits, prescribed burns, partial trail closure

Apr 11, 2024

Overnight permits in Olympic National Park for the peak summer season will be available to reserve on April 15. Prescribed burns are planned in national forests this month. A portion of the Spokane River Centennial Trail will be closed for several months this summer. And read about what a day volunteering on trail with WTA looks like in The Seattle Times.

How to hit more trails with help from WTA

Looking for added motivation, tips and tricks to hike more? We have the resources for you. By Allie Tripp

How WTA is like a savvy, local friend to hikers who are new to Washington

When you move somewhere new, having a local friend who knows their way around makes all the difference. This is especially true for hikers who move to Washington, where the trail options feel endless and seasonal conditions vary greatly from place to place. | By Linnea Johnson

Join WTA for live music set to photos of Washington's trails

Apr 05, 2024

Love mountains? Love music? Join us for a hiking-themed concert with photos from around the state set to live music. By Brynna Counts-Morgan

Hiker Headlines: Now hiring, St. Helens permits, Highway 20 clearing begins, solar eclipse

Apr 04, 2024

WTA is hiring for a development director. Both King County Parks and Washington State Parks are seeking public comments on upcoming projects. Crews have started clearing Highway 20. Mount St. Helens' peak climbing season is here. Fryingpan Creek in Mount Rainier is going to get a new bridge. And there’s a solar eclipse on Monday!

From the Gorge to the border, popular trails are getting love this spring

Apr 03, 2024

It's barely the end of winter and WTA trail crews have accomplished great things already. Thanks to increased staff capacity, we're building new trails in several parts of the state, and our work last year has earned kudos from land managers and neighbors alike.

Once Youth Volunteers, Now WTA Leaders

Anna Pree and Kat Conley each began trail work with WTA as teenagers. Now, they’re trail work professionals who are inspiring the next generation on trail.

As Seen On Trail: WTA's FaciliTree

Apr 01, 2024

Hearing nature's call? Answer it with Washington's most efficient and convenient hiking accessory you'll ever use: the FaciliTree.

How WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training helped one teacher finally get outside with her students

Sara Ullmer led 24 outdoor trips with students from 2015-2019. Learn how WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training helped her get kids outside. By Krista Dooley

Writing down 7 unwritten rules of hiking

Hiking has a set of unwritten rules that you may not know. We're demystifying them and helping you hike like a pro. By Anna Roth.

Volunteer Profile: Rick Bennett

Mar 28, 2024

In the wilds of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, you can find Rick Bennett — one of WTA's dedicated volunteer crew leaders. Rick’s been a trail maintenance volunteer since 2008 and has been a crew leader (or blue hat) since 2022. Over the course of 16 years, Rick has provided volunteers fun and welcoming experiences on trail, and in February, he was recognized with the the Gig Harbor Rotary Club's Star Award.

Hiker Headlines: Mount Rainier timed-access permits, construction closures, spring is here!

Mar 28, 2024

Timed-access permits for July entry into Mount Rainier National Park will be available on April 1. Some construction projects throughout the state may cause road and trail closures or delays. $6 million has been allocated to preserving the Bridge of the Gods. And spring is here!

Get ready for youth volunteer vacations this summer

Mar 26, 2024

This summer, youth ages 14-18 can join us on trail for extended volunteer work parties, either in the backcountry or car-camping trips. Here's what you need to know before applications open up on April 1.