Profiles, Interviews & Perspectives

A Treasured Moment Together

May 14, 2021

Every year, WTA invites photographers to share their favorite photos for our annual contest. Hiker Giselle Pichardo shared a shot with her family at Ebey's Landing last summer.

5 Things I Learned After a Year Using Car Shares to Hike

May 10, 2021

Today is my one-year anniversary of the first hike I did using a carshare program. Hiking using car-share programs is totally doable, and depending on how often you hike (and other demands you may have to consider), using car shares may even be more cost-effective than owning. Here's what I've learned in a year of hiking sans car.

Learning and Growing on WTA's Volunteer Vacations

Apr 14, 2021

We caught up with volunteers from years past to see how the skills they gained have helped them with new adventures.

Volunteer Spotlight: Gabrielle Matheison

Apr 06, 2021

Volunteers are key for WTA, and we appreciate however people engage with WTA. Some folks like to stick to trail work, some stick to trip reports, some do both. While volunteering has been complicated by the pandemic, Gabrielle Matheisen, a trip reporter and trail crew volunteer, made it work.

Thank You, WTA, From a Hiker

Mar 31, 2021

Binny Marwaha is a WTA member and an avid hiker and backpacker. We recently caught up with her to learn a bit about why she chooses to support WTA, and the impact of time outdoors. Here is a snippet of our conversation with her.

UW's Nature and Health Group Talks Time Outside

Mar 22, 2021

What researchers are discovering about how and why being outside is so good for us.

From Awe to Ah-Hah!: 4 Advocates Realize the Power of Their Voices for Trails

Mar 11, 2021

When did you realize that trails don’t just appear in the woods? Or that your favorite trail probably exists in part thanks to hikers like you? If you haven't had that "ah-hah!" moment yet, it's understandable. The path towards establishing and protecting trails is winding (much like those trails we love so much). But in the same way that you can lay the foundation for memorable summer adventures by tuning into permit season each year in February, hikers like you can help build a lifetime of adventure by consistently participating in advocacy work.

Volunteer Crew Leaders Step Up to Help WTA and Each Other

Mar 09, 2021

In addition to WTA’s regular seasonal staff, 27 volunteers stepped up to lead trail work parties this past summer — making space for 2,200 more volunteers to engage in trail work.

Hiking Alone in Winter, Finding Peace and Quiet on the Trail

Feb 19, 2021

Even those of us who relish this season can get mired in it, despairing that going outside will never be fun or easy again. In these doldrums of winter, one of the cures for finding joy is, counterintuitively, hiking alone.

Finding a Little Bit of Balance in the Outdoors

Sep 28, 2020

For long-time WTA member Archana Bhat and her family, there’s no such thing as an uneventful backpacking trip.

Reclaiming Joy in Unprecedented Times

Sep 14, 2020

By producing events that truly welcome everyone, Chevon Powell combines her love of nature and event planning to bring people together and create a powerful community.

Finding Balance as A Parent

Aug 11, 2020

"My life at home and work are much different than what I’d planned for 2020 — but I’m finding ways to make peace with that."

What to Expect at Mount Rainier This Summer: Q&A With Rainier's Superintendent

Jul 10, 2020

WTA staff recently sat down — over Zoom — with Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park, to gain some behind the scenes insight on what we can expect at the park this year.

Taking Hikes, Building Friendships

Jul 07, 2020

When she was brand-new to Washington, time on trails helped Kayla Nunez find her new community.

Caring for Trails, Caring for People

Jun 29, 2020

It’s hard to imagine what WTA would look like without the McKibben family, and even harder to overstate Craig’s impact. From volunteering with our trail maintenance program, to serving as our board president, and even filling in as interim executive director.

Talking About My Generation

Jun 11, 2020

Youth are a powerful force for trails.

Staying Busy During Stay at Home

May 20, 2020

How some volunteers are staying busy without trail work parties on the calendar.

Hike Hard and Eat Great

How one hiker turned her passion for food and the outdoors into a new business and a new way of life | By Jessi Loerch

Virtual BCRTs and Sawyer Songs — Our Trail Maintenance Community Stays Connected

Apr 15, 2020

Friendships forged doing volunteer trail work find a way to endure and thrive online.

Welcome, Jaime! In His New Leadership Role, He'll Help Build a Better Future for Trails

Jan 13, 2020

We are excited to welcome Jaime Loucky. WTA's new chief impact officer will help us explore new ways to keep trails safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

The Path to Gratitude

Nov 27, 2019

Pause. Breathe. Remember what trails mean.

Collin Tasaka, New OLT Instructor, Gets Youth Stoked to Go Outside

Oct 24, 2019

The newest member of WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training program is an enthusiastic advocate and role model for getting youth outside and on trail.

Energy, Purpose, Excitement: Coming Full Circle At Hidden Lake

Oct 18, 2019

In 2018, a group of friends attended a work party at Hidden Lake to help with a major construction project. A year later, two of that group returned to finish the task as a thank you to the woman who introduced them the trail work.

A Year in the Life of a WTA Superstar

Jul 31, 2019

Jaime Weber, a WTA member and volunteer, looks forward to the start of her personal trail work season. She saves her summers for hiking, and turns to trail work as fall shifts to winter. But that doesn’t mean she sits on her laurels during her trail-maintenance off-months.

The UP North Loop: Connecting the Pacific Northwest

A new long distance trail for the adventurous | By Andrea Laughery

Community & Healing

Outdoor Asian has helped me connect to nature, my family and my culture | by Joan Hong

Wheeling in the Wild

How I kept hiking, backpacking and exploring the wild places I love, with the assistance of a wheelchair | by Jenny Schmitz

Trail Magic: Not Just for Thru-Hikers

Apr 25, 2019

Whether it's food, sharing spare gear, or making an extra effort to recognize a special moment, our volunteers help make WTA's volunteer community friendly, and work parties fun to return to.

Volunteer Crew Leaders Make Our Work Happen

Apr 22, 2019

If you've volunteered with WTA, you know the impact just one day on trail can make. But there might be more volunteers on your work party than you realize...

Everyone Has a Legacy

Apr 15, 2019

For Russ Levy, caring for trails means thinking beyond his own lifetime — and planning to leave a legacy that includes caring for trails and wild space for generations to come.