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

Ask WTA: How is Food Freeze Dried?

Nov 23, 2022

Backpackers have come up with many innovative ways of reducing that weight, including freeze-drying. But what IS freeze drying?

I Was Afraid Of the Outdoors. Now I Help Others Hit the Trails.

It was a winding road to where I'm at, and WTA helped me get here. By Tiffany Chou.

Hiker Headlines: WTA Now Hiring, Trail Reopens, Winter Closures and Hiking

Nov 17, 2022

WTA is hiring for our 2023 seasonal crew leaders and assistant crew leaders. The Annette Lake trail has reopened. Some roads may be closed intermittently or entirely for the winter season. And, make sure to take advantage of online resources to check conditions before heading out on your snowy hike.

How Friends of the Children Seattle Made 'Trail Tuesdays' a Reality, with a Little Help from WTA

Nov 16, 2022

Friends of the Children Seattle spent the summer exploring local trails and introducing youth to the fun of hiking. (And the joy of eating frozen yogurt during a hike.) WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training program helped them have a successful summer of exploration.

E-bikes: You Gave Input, What Comes Next?

Nov 15, 2022

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources asked for your opinion on the use of e-bikes. Over 7,000 people responded to the survey, including WTA’s Trail Action Network advocates — thanks for your input! Based on this input, WDFW and DNR recently shared a report of their recommendations for e-bikes going forward. Here are the main takeaways and what happens next.

WTA and Our Members: The Perfect Combo for Trails

Nov 14, 2022

WTA gets a lot of work done each year to help hikers get outside. But we can only do this work because of our dedicated base of 27,000 members who fund our work.

Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Highway Closures, Bridge Replacement, Art Contest

Nov 10, 2022

Parking fees will be waived in many places on Veteran’s Day. The North Cascades Highway and Mountain Loop Highway are closed for the season. A bridge replacement project at Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve is closing part of the area through at least this month. And, an art contest for high-schoolers to spread awareness about invasive species has opened.

Hiking Games: Pass the Time on Trail or in Camp

When you know you’ve got a few hours left in your group hike or you’ve reached a particularly steep or difficult section of trail, sometimes it's nice to have a distraction. Trail games are a great way to keep everyone’s mind off the pain and on something else. And a lot of games can be played both while hiking and at camp. Plus, they’re fun!

Small Steps Lead to Big Things

Nov 08, 2022

A green space close to home can be a grounding element in a fast-paced world.

Ambassador FAQ

What does an ambassador do? Ambassadors are outreach volunteers, serving as the face of WTA in their communities across the state.

8 Tech Tools That Make Hiking Better

When I decide to add a piece of outdoor technology to my planning or hiking gear list, it has to do one of three things: help me get outside, help me unplug or help me deepen my connection to wild places. Ideally, it does all three.

Step by Step: How WTA's Community Partner Used Boots From Our Gear Library to Get Outside

Nov 07, 2022

Whether it's for hiking Mount Rainier, taking early steps to leading the way for environmental justice or celebrating being comfortable outdoors, we caught up with community partners to learn more about how they've utilized hiking boots from WTA's gear lending library.

Hiker Headlines: Share Your Thoughts, Highway 20 Updates, Name Changes, New Bridge

Nov 03, 2022

Share your thoughts on multiple proposed long-term plans for our trails and outdoor spaces. Part of Highway 20 will be temporarily closing starting tonight, but some fire closures in the national park have been lifted. Nine derogatory names for natural features have been changed. A new bridge has been completed in the Black Diamond Open Space.

Find A Hike You Like With WTA's Trailblazer App

Nov 01, 2022

Our team of incredibly generous and hardworking volunteer developers and designers have been working hard to get you some crucial updates to our app!

Hike Across Washington Through Books

Many authors have drawn inspiration from Washington’s many interesting and beautiful locations to use as their stories’ settings or backdrops. These books run the gamut of genres, so no matter your preference, you should be able to find a title to suit your fancy. Check out these books written in the realm of Washington's beautiful spaces.

Shared-Language Hikes Helped Break Down Barriers to the Outdoors This Summer

Oct 31, 2022

Last month, ECOSS wrapped up its summer season of shared-language hiking trips to Little Si — aiming to expand outdoor access to underserved communities — using the Trailhead Direct program. We connected with some of the ECOSS staff and trip leaders to talk about their experiences hiking with their communities.

Hiker Headlines: Sno-Park Permits, Reopenings and Closures, More Snow

Oct 27, 2022

It’s October 27. Sno-Park permits are on sale November 1. Some trails affected by the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017 have reopened. Key recreation roads are closing for winter, and prescribed burns are happening in some areas in Washington. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

WTA’s Hike Recommender Can Help You Plan Your Winter

Oct 26, 2022

As the temps drop and the days get shorter, hiking changes a bit, too. You'll need extra layers and warm treats in your pack, but if you’re seeking trail inspiration, WTA’s hike recommender can help you out!

Happy Hours and Happy Hikers: Building Community Among WTA's Fireside Circle

Oct 21, 2022

When you hang out with WTA's Fireside Circle members, it's impossible not to be inspired by their passion for trails and spirit of stewardship.

Hiker Headlines: Permits and Wildfire Updates, Closures, Rain

Oct 20, 2022

The Forest Service extended Mount St. Helens' permit season. Some key roads are closed. Wildfires are still burning, but we finally have some rain in the forecast. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

King County Voters: This "Yes" Vote Will Help Save Green Spaces

Oct 18, 2022

Voters have the chance in this election (Nov. 8) to vote "yes" to Conserve Our Future, King County Proposition 1. Vote "yes" so this program can continue to protect lands that support the health of our communities, ecosystems and climate.

Lost Trails Found Crews, Volunteers, Return to Trails in the Entiat

Oct 17, 2022

The Entiat has suffered from a number of wildfires over the last decade, and the damage from those burns is still being felt today. But thankfully, our crews have been chipping away at those damages.

Hiker Headlines: Now Hiring, Volunteer Appreciation Week, Closures, Park Improvements

Oct 13, 2022

WTA is hiring! Join WTA for Volunteer Appreciation Week. Be aware of closures in North Cascades National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. A Seattle park has fully reopened with multiple improvements. And, wildfire prevention efforts continue — and it seems they are working. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.

A Path to an Outdoor Career: Shape Your Future with WTA's Emerging Leaders Program

Oct 11, 2022

WTA's Emerging Leaders Program is now accepting applications for the 2023 season! We caught up with some past participants to find out what they're up to now.

Lost Trails Found Crews Crush This Season With 58 Miles of Trail Work

Oct 10, 2022

WTA’s Lost Trails Found crews have earned a nice rest and many thanks from hikers after spending a whopping 6,790 total hours in the field doing trail maintenance this summer! Check out all the work our crews got done over the season.

Hiker Headlines: Free Day, Climate Lecture, Trail Plans, New Open Space

Oct 06, 2022

Parking fees will be waived in some areas for World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. Visit Town Hall on Oct. 18 to listen to the University of Washington College of the Environment’s annual Doug Walker Lecture. Share your thoughts on a new comprehensive plan for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. An emergency closure has been implemented on a part of Stevens Canyon Road for construction. And, a new recreation area has opened on Vashon Island.

Connecting Classrooms to Nearby Green Spaces

How I worked with WTA to understand more about connections between natural areas in neighborhoods, public health and nearby schools. By Anna Caudill

Honorable Mention: 5 Northwest Exposure Favorites from WTA’s Photo Judges

Oct 03, 2022

We asked our photo contest judges to pick honorable mentions from last year’s contest — and explain what they love about the images.

Learning & Growing: WTA's Innovation Over the Years

Dig into WTA's history of protecting trails.

How to Get to King County Trailheads Without a Car

Sep 27, 2022

Get to parks, trails and green spaces in King County using these public transportation routes.