Profiles, Interviews & Perspectives

Wrap Up: A Working Mom's Year of Backpacking Once a Month

Dec 03, 2018

In January, Washington Trails editor Jessi Loerch set a goal to go backpacking once a month. She reflects on the year's adventures, and what she learned.

Washington State Trails Conference: Learning More About How Our Trail System Works

Nov 13, 2018

The 2018 Washington Trails Conference was full of learning opportunities and fascinating information about what goes into the trails we enjoy.

Where Are They Now: Arlen Bogaards

Oct 31, 2018

Arlen Bogaards is our Northwest Regional Manager, but he started his career at WTA as a volunteer.

Volunteer Profile: Kim, Norah and Adam

Sep 10, 2018

Get to know three of our newest hard hat recipients.

22 Years of Trail Work with WTA

Sep 06, 2018

From volunteer to WTA field manager, Alan Carter Mortimer has dedicated 22 years of work to Washington's trails.

Volunteer Profile: Clare Paden

Aug 01, 2018

How wrestling with one stubborn stump led one volunteer to taking a leadership role in trail work parties around the state.

Being a New Mom Was Hard. Hiking Helped.

Jul 24, 2018

Shanti Hodges is the creator of Hike It Baby, and the author of a new book featuring hikes you can enjoy with your whole family.

Where Are They Now? Seasonal Crew Leader Jacob Mandell

Jul 16, 2018

Jacob Mandell worked at WTA for two years and his enthusiasm, gentle leadership and big smile were big motivators for the many volunteers he worked with. He's since taken his expertise to Colorado, where he's on a trail maintenance crew in the Routt National Forest.

GirlTrek: Walking as a Radical Act of Self-Care

Jun 28, 2018

GirlTrek started as a hiking club. It quickly grew into a movement to reverse the systemic health crisis experienced by black women and transform the health and well-being of entire communities.

Father's Day: Outdoor Lessons From our Dads, Uncles and Grandfathers

Jun 14, 2018

This week, we asked Washington Trails Association staff if they had learned anything about the outdoors or nature from their fathers, uncles or grandpas.

Where Are They Now? Seasonal Crew Leader Lauren Glass

May 29, 2018

Lauren Glass joined WTA two years ago with an impressive resume from working with youth. After two years crew leading with us, she headed to Colorado to manage the youth program at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. We caught up with her to see how it's going.

Where Are They Now? Seasonal Crew Leader Margaret Ullman-Hess

May 24, 2018

Now working for Mountains to Sound Greenway, Margaret Ullman-Hess got her first taste of trail work as a seasonal crew leader with WTA. We asked her what hooked her, and how she took what she learned at WTA into her professional career.

"It's Okay to Get Dirty" — Outdoor Wisdom from Our Mothers, Aunties and Grandmothers

May 11, 2018

Wielding axes, courage, common sense and adventurous spirits, the women who raised WTA staffers are part of why we are so committed to trails.

Progress Report: Backpacking All Year

Apr 05, 2018

Washington Trails editor and mom Jessi Loerch set a goal for herself to backpack once a month this year. She's on track, and finding the sweet spot between spending alone time in the wilderness and sharing nature with some close friends.

The Three Cs: Raising a Child Who Loves Nature

Apr 04, 2018

Krista Dooley, parent and the youth and volunteer programs director at WTA, on how a simple walk in the woods with her young daughter builds curiosity, courage and confidence.

Volunteer Profile: Pat Limberg

Mar 27, 2018

Pat Limberg has been volunteering on trail since WTA's trail maintenance program was a relatively new part of our work. She's stuck around, both on-trail and as an office volunteer, and is happy to see that WTA is still devoted to trails and the wide range of people who care deeply about protecting the places they love to play.

Two WTA Volunteers Recognized by Friends of Olympic National Park

Mar 23, 2018

WTA crew leader Rebecca Wanagel and Washington Trails contributor Kelsie Donleycott have been recognized as super-volunteers this year. Read why.

Landscapes of Love: Stitching Our Stories into Wild Places

Feb 14, 2018

When we make our memories on trails and in wild places, they take on a kind of permanence and heft, long after we’ve packed up our tents and gone.

Go Camping with your Family this Winter

Feb 02, 2018

Winter and early spring are a great time to go camping with your family. Here's why, and some tips on how to do it.

How 3 Unique Volunteers Help Fuel WTA

Jan 22, 2018

Meet three volunteers who are helping out across the organization, and learn how they're making a difference for Washington's trails.

Meet the Trail Community: Wildland Firefighter

Dec 18, 2017

As a helitack manager, Chris O'Brien spends much of his time managing fire and looking at trails from the air. But when he can, he heads out to volunteer, or simply take a short walk on trails near his winter home in Olympia.

Meet the Trail Community: Mountain Biker

Dec 01, 2017

Mountain biker Melissa MacKelvie wants everyone to find their connection to nature. It's empowering, and builds the community of people who care deeply about trails.

Enjoy Nature Anywhere: Find Feelings of Wilderness Close to Town

Oct 16, 2017

It can feel like a challenge to connect with nature and capture the sense of solituide close to town—but it’s not impossible. A few tips to find that wild feeling.

Meet the Trail Community: First Generation Hiker

Sep 21, 2017

Meet a woman who is the first in her family to go hiking, and learn what inspired her to start.

Volunteer Profile: Maridee BonaDea

Aug 18, 2017

Meet Maridee—recently retired and heading to Bangkok to pursue her Master's degree, she wanted to spend a little time volunteering with WTA before heading out.

Bree Loewen: 20 Years in Search and Rescue

Jul 20, 2017

Meet Bree, a 20-year vet of search-and-rescue and author of Found: A Life in Mountain Rescue.

Hiking with New Eyes: A First-Timer's Experience on a BCRT

Jul 13, 2017

Amy Redmond was inspired by her friend and assistant crew leader, Joni Johnson to try out a BCRT. Here's her telling of the experience out on the Olympic Peninsula.

Father's Day: Life Lessons from Time on the Trail with Dad

Jun 16, 2017

From how to start a fire to developing a sense of wonder, outdoor fathers have a lot to give.

Recipes and Tips for Allergic Hikers

Jun 06, 2017

Got an allergy-prone little one? You'll want to read Sarah Kirkconnell's tips and recipes for keeping them healthy and happy on trail.

Hiking With Kids: It's All About the Cupcakes

May 12, 2017

A hiking-obsessed mom gets her reluctant 6-year-old out on trail. And, amazingly, everyone has fun.