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

"After the First Day, I Was Hooked" — What Keeps WTA Volunteers Coming Back

Five WTA volunteers share how their time on trail has brought them community, skills and confidence.

20 Years of Hikes, Community and Fun: Hike-a-Thon Participants Share Special Moments

Jul 07, 2023

WTA's annual fundraiser, Hike-a-Thon, is back this August. We asked members of the Hike-a-Thon community share what makes this time of year special for them. If you'd like to join in the fun this year, registration is open now!

Hiker Headlines: Road and Trail Openings, Hurricane Ridge, New Trail Funding

Jul 06, 2023

Some roads and a trailhead have opened back up, and the Hurricane Ridge area is now allowing more private vehicles each day. Please also be aware of a couple of closures. And WTA is proud to have supported the Puget Sound to Pacific initiative to secure funding for the Great American Rail-Trail.

Trip Report Roundup: Getting the Family Together — Outside

Jul 05, 2023

Hitting the trails is a great way to spend the day together as a family, and no one knows that better than our great hiking community! Here are some of our favorite recent trip reports from hikers who were able to round up the family to get outside.

Silver Star Vision Plan is a North Star for the Future of a Special Area

Jun 30, 2023

Trails planning is a detailed process. The Silver Star area in Southwest Washington has been the focus of planning work for years. Now we're happy to announce the vision plan for the future of this area is complete!

Hiker Headlines: Hike-a-Thon, Frog Mountain (and More!) Open, Get an Adventure Pack at the Library

Jun 29, 2023

Registration for Hike-a-Thon opens July 1! Several roads and trails are opening up for summer, but White River Road is temporarily closed. Be aware of some fee changes in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. More Adventure Packs — with Discover Passes — are available at libraries. And Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Help Us Celebrate 20 Years of Giving Back to Trails

Jun 28, 2023

Hike-a-Thon is a community fundraising event that gives hikers the opportunity to raise funds for our work. Throughout August, Hike-a-Thon participants hit the trail, share stories of their outdoor adventures and raise funds that directly support trails in Washington. This year is extra special — it’s the 20th anniversary of Hike-a-Thon!

Jokes to Keep in Your Back Pocket (or Backpack)

Jun 27, 2023

Why did the hiker laugh in the mountains? Because they're hill areas. At WTA, we love a good pun. Or any, pun, really. So we asked our Outdoor Leadership Training staff and partners to share some of their favorite punny jokes. Here they are — just in time to make your hiking companions laugh (or groan) on your next adventure.

Hiker Headlines: Hurricane Ridge and Coldwater Areas Reopen, Chiwawa River Road Closure

Jun 22, 2023

This Saturday, June 24, is Washington Trails Day. The Hurricane Ridge area and Mount St. Helens Coldwater area are reopening to the public. The Chiwawa Road has a closure. And wildfire season has started.

Y-WE gets Youth Outside. WTA is Proud to Support that Mission.

Jun 21, 2023

Y-WE empowers young women to be leaders in their communities — one of the ways they do that is by taking them outdoors. A strong partnership between Y-WE and WTA have had a strong partnership since 2015, helping thousands and youth and adults get outside.

Speak Up for the Trails You Love

Jun 21, 2023

This June 24 is Washington Trails Day, a day in honor of our state’s spectacular outdoors and WTA’s stewardship of and advocacy for trails. This year, WTA is celebrating Washington Trails Day by inviting everyone who loves the outdoors to join our advocate community, Trail Action Network! By Linnea Johnson

Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Big Four Ice Caves Open, Speak Up About Mount Rainier's Permit Plan, Hike the State

Jun 15, 2023

Plenty of exciting hiking events are coming up, including a fee-free day for Juneteenth, Washington Trails Day and Hike the State. The Big Four Ice Caves are open once again! And we're asking our community to speak up about Mount Rainier National Park’s plan to require permits for entry.

Big Summer Plans: 3 Areas WTA is Excited to Work in 2023

Jun 14, 2023

WTA is excited for a summer season of trail work. Here's a preview of some of the key projects we're working on this summer to build trails that will last for years to come.

Speak Up About Mount Rainier's Plan to Require Permits for Entry

Jun 13, 2023

Mount Rainier National Park has proposed requiring reservation for vehicles to enter the park at popular entrances. The change would limit access to beloved trails that are close to major population center. Washington Trails Association is concerned about this proposal and we’re asking our community to speak up about it by June 26.

Help Hikers! WTA Needs Volunteers at Trailheads This Summer

Jun 09, 2023

WTA is teaming up with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to help with welcoming and educating hikers and other outdoor recreationists. We're looking for volunteers in Central and Northern Washington to help us out.

Hiker Headlines: Join WTA for Hike the State, Free Days, Mountain Loop Closures

Jun 08, 2023

Join WTA for Hike the State and get recommendations for a summer of hiking. This weekend, parking fees will be waived in some areas. A bear got human food in North Cascades National Park, and the Park Service has closed some areas and asked visitors to be careful. We have info on trail and road closures — and openings — that could affect your hiking plans.

Meet the Lost Trails Found Crew for 2023

Jun 08, 2023

Our Lost Trails Found Crew has some exciting work planned for 2023. Meet some of the crewmembers and learn what they're most looking forward to this summer. By Joseph Gonzalez

Know Before You Go: Trails That Will be Closed this Summer

Jun 07, 2023

Heads up, hikers! A fair number of popular trails will be closed for all or part of the 2023 summer hiking season, due mostly to construction and much-need improvements (yay!) To help you plan better, here’s a roundup of closures we know about right now.

How Golden Bricks Events is Building Joy and Inclusivity in the Outdoors

Historically, social and institutional barriers have prevented many Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) from safely and comfortably getting outside. Golden Bricks Events counteracts those barriers by bringing together a diverse group of outdoor enthusiasts, from cyclists to birders to climbers. By Chrisha Favors

How to Plan a DIY Thru-hike

If you’d like to create your own longer hike, here are tips to get you on the right path on a lesser-known route. By Lauren Lake

A Landslide Closed Johnston Ridge Observatory. Here's Where to Hike Mount St. Helens This Summer

Jun 02, 2023

On May 14, a landslide South Coldwater Slide, caused significant damage to the road leading up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory northwest of Mount St. Helens. Several popular trailheads will be closed for the season, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy this area this summer.

Hiker Headlines: National Trails Day, Spokane Hike Ideas, Closures

Jun 01, 2023

National Trails Day is this Saturday! Join WTA and Spokane Libraries for some hike suggestions in the Spokane area from a local expert. Make sure to check in with Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest rangers on forest road conditions before heading out. And, be aware of upcoming road and campground closures.

From the Backcountry to Birdwatching: The Evolution of One Photographer’s Definition of Outdoor Adventuring

The outdoors has always been important to Matt Leaman, but his relationship with it has changed over the years. A single hike sparked an interest that led to new passions and a much deeper connection to the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. It even led to a new career. | By Tiffany Chou

5 Reasons Why Local Trails are Essential to Mental Health

May 30, 2023

When nature is in reach, so are its healing benefits.

Scrolling Trip Reports Might be the Best Time I Spend Online

May 26, 2023

Trip reports are so much more than just a record of trail conditions. (Although they're great for that!) Trip reports are a great way to share your adventures with the people you love. And a way to leave a tremendously helpful record for yourself.

Hiker Headlines: Speak Up For Eightmile Lake, Passes Reopening, I-90 and Lake Quinault Area Construction

May 25, 2023

Chinook and Cayuse passes are reopening tomorrow. Expect I-90 delays and closures, including closures of the Franklin Falls and Denny Creek trails, as well as some construction projects in Olympic National Forest and National Park. Submit a public comment about the proposed plan to rebuild Eightmile Dam in the Enchantments area. And, join Golden Bricks Events for Sundaes outside this Sunday at Be’er Sheva Park.

Speak up for Eightmile Lake in the Enchantments

May 24, 2023

Eightmile Lake is high in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and part of the Enchantments. The dam at the end of the lake needs to repaired. We're asking hikers to speak up to ensure the plan will protect hiking and backpacking opportunities in the area.

WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training Helps Communities Spend Nights Under the Stars

May 24, 2023

For nearly a decade, WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program has been working to increase access to outdoor experiences by reducing barriers to support educators and group leaders with training and gear for camping and backpacking trips. We wanted to look back and see how those experiences have made an impact.

WTA’s Emerging Leaders Program is Creating a Welcoming Space to Learn and Grow in the Outdoor Community

Charlie Lavides faced hurdles entering the outdoor industry. WTA's Emerging Leaders Program granted them an opportunity to foster and find community on Washington trails. By Charlie Lavides

Trails Make Space for New Memories

May 23, 2023

WTA marketing manager Linnea Johnson reflects on outdoor memories with family while making space for new ones. By Linnea Johnson

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