Activating Volunteers to Reboot Trails

Volunteerism is core to WTA's work. More than 75% of our trail work goes towards Trails Rebooted routes, while 78% of our hiking guide content includes hikes written by volunteers correspondents. And our outreach and advocacy efforts are partially driven by volunteer ambassadors; people just like you who care about showing up for trails.

In order to create a sustainable trail system that will be around for years to come, hikers need to step up and into the role of trail protectors and stewards. Here's how WTA is making that happen.

Full Crews, Clear Trails, Can't Lose

Apr 06, 2023

Are you ready for spring? Washington's trails are, thanks to the volunteer crews who've been working all winter to prep them for hikers this season.

Hiker Headlines: Good News From 2022

Dec 29, 2022

The year is almost over, and we want take a moment to reflect on the good things that happened for trails and public lands in 2022. Public lands got more funding. WTA helped open new trails — and improve many more. And across the state, the hiking community came together to support each other and the places we care about.

Trip Reporters Celebrate Southwest Washington Trails and Volunteers

Sep 12, 2022

WTA is hard at work improving and building trails in Southwest Washington. Get the latest updates and learn how you can support trails in this region of the state.

Why Do We Fix Popular Trails?

Jul 26, 2022

Popular trails can need as much — or more — maintenance than less-well-known routes. Find out why.

Community-Based Solutions: Darrington Local Coordinating Mountain Loop Highway Trailhead Ambassador Program

Jul 25, 2022

Talking community and battling doomscrolling with the coordinator of the Mountain Loop Highway's newest trailhead ambassador program.

This Summer: Volunteer on the Mountain Loop Highway

Jun 22, 2022

Spread knowledge about Leave No Trace and responsible recreation by volunteering as a trailhead ambassador on the Mountain Loop Highway this summer.

Clearing the Way for Summer Adventures: Where We've Worked so Far

Jun 20, 2022

Spring is an exciting time at WTA. The snow is melting, the flowers are blooming and our intrepid backcountry volunteers make their way out on trail to begin clearing the path for summer.

Striped Peak: New Trail on Olympic Peninsula is Ready for Hikers

Mar 14, 2022

After three and a half years and 83 volunteer work parties, there's a new trail on a popular peak outside of Port Angeles.

Where We’re Needed Most: How WTA Decides Where We Work

There's a lot to consider when we decide where to work on trail around the state. By Jessi Loerch

Preview: WTA's 2022 Volunteer Backcountry Trip Schedule

Feb 04, 2022

It's only February, but Washingtonians know that the short, gray days mean it's primo planning season. Have you considered adding a WTA backcountry trip to your 2022 adventure schedule? You should. Here's why.

Rebooting Popular Trails for Year Round Hiking in Hood Canal

Nov 29, 2021

This summer, WTA's volunteer crews provided urgent maintenance to some of the Hood Canal’s most loved trails in order to ensure that these trails are accessible and safe for all users.

How WTA Works for Trails and for You

By building connections, looking for creative solutions and mobilizing hikers, we’re helping to create a strong future for trails. | By Jessi Loerch

Helping Hikers and Collecting Vital Information on the Mountain Loop Highway

Aug 09, 2021

This summer, keep your eyes out for WTA volunteers on the Mountain Loop Highway. They won't be wearing hard hats — these folks will be in Gothic Basin and at Cutthroat Lakes several times this summer, sharing information about recreating responsibly and sustainably and doing visitor counts for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The Power of Loops & Connections

Jul 19, 2021

Creating trail systems that allow for loops makes a better experience for hikers — and it’s easier on the land, too.

New Loops, New Hikes, New Views in the Columbia River Gorge

Jul 02, 2021

Thanks to a partnership between Washington Trails Association and Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust, the trail system at the land trust’s Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve has been improved.

Passion Projects Bring WTA Volunteers Back to Favorite Trails

Jun 01, 2021

Our volunteers often find themselves replacing worn-out structures, rebuilding tread or even rerouting trails built by WTA crews who came before them. We’re grateful for the volunteers who were part of those original crews and continue to go back, over and over again, to maintain the projects they started.

Get Ready for WTA's 2021 Backcountry Trips

Jan 26, 2021

Join WTA this summer. Backpack to a gorgeous place, do some trail work, and feel good about helping Washington's trail be some of the best.

Rebooting Popular Trails and the Pacific Crest Trail in the Central Cascades

Dec 22, 2020

WTA crews worked all summer to restore and maintain trails across the state. Part of that work included improving trails in the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Snow Lake Trail: Helping an Iconic Trail Step Up Sustainability

Dec 22, 2020

How WTA trail crews, volunteers and member support are helping one of Washington's most popular and iconic trails carry increased boot traffic while protecting the beauty that makes it so special.

Mica Peak Traverse: Completing A New Trail Near Spokane

Nov 25, 2020

This fall, WTA volunteers and partners celebrated another win for trails in the Spokane-area, this time in the form of a trail connecting two of the region’s largest swaths of public land. The California Creek Trail, completed in mid-October, now officially connects Liberty Lake Regional Park and Mica Peak Conservation Area.

Trail Planning Takes Time: Scouting Trails in the Teanaway Community Forest

Oct 13, 2020

WTA is helping bring the Teanaway Community Forest trail plan to life, scouting an existing web of unofficial trails for the ones that will be able to sustain hikers, bikers and riders for years to come.

Excited to be Back to Work on Trails Rebooted

Jul 27, 2020

WTA staff and volunteers have begun a gradual return to the field under new guidelines for COVID-19. Work parties are small affairs these days, and we still have restrictions on experience required to participate (under normal circumstances we love to welcome new volunteers on our trips!). But we're continuing to work with our agency partners to assess additional projects and an expanded schedule.

Rebooting a Trail for the Future

Jul 24, 2020

Sharpe Park is just one example of how we’re improving trails in popular areas.

Making Connections: How Small Trails Can Make a Big Difference

Small trails can have a big impact in creating a healthy trail system that lets people explore from backyards to the backcountry. By Anna Roth

Get Ready to Sign Up for Backcountry Trips

Jan 28, 2020

Our volunteer trail maintenance trips will be released on Jan. 31, and will open for registration on Feb. 8. Here's the low-down for a great summer vacation trip with WTA.

We Fix 'Em, You Hike 'Em: 8 Trails WTA Has Already Refreshed in 2020

Jan 21, 2020

WTA's trail maintenance program has been busy this month. We kicked off 2020 by breaking ground on brand new trails and continuing work on dozens of other trails. We even had a ribbon-cutting — broadening a trail network trail that hikers already loved.

The Wild Nearby: Hikers Benefit from Investments in Southwest Washington

Nov 11, 2019

Since 1993, we've been working towards a sustainable trail system in the Columbia River Gorge. Thanks to dedication, partnerships, member support and the hard work of volunteers, we can claim these successes in 2019.

Date with the Duckabush

To hike the entire length of the Duckabush is to experience the scope of what our Trails Rebooted and Lost Trails Found campaigns are working to achieve — a trail system that connects all different kinds of hiking experiences. Which is why WTA has led volunteer trail crews there for nearly a decade | By Anna Roth and Rachel Wendling

Blanca Lake: Just One Place WTA is Working to Save Iconic Trails

Sep 04, 2019

Our Trails Rebooted campaign is working to protect some of the most popular and iconic trails all across the state.

Meeting Hikers' Needs: 5 Wins for Trails

Aug 13, 2019

We recently asked the hiking community which trails needed the attention of our Trails Rebooted campaign. Here are five trails you mentioned and what WTA is doing to improve the hiking experience on them.