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

Hiker Headlines: Highway 20 partial reopening, Trailhead Direct, DNR budget cuts, hot weekend

Apr 30, 2026

The eastern portion of Highway 20 is opening today but a portion remains closed due to storm damage. Trailhead Direct transit service is starting up soon! Several forest roads in the Methow Valley are closed due to storm damage. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources will be reducing service and closing some campgrounds this year after budget cuts. And, expect hot weather this weekend!

DNR budget cuts mean closed campgrounds and less work on trails

Apr 29, 2026

Due to budget cuts, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources recently announced they will need to close some campgrounds and reduce services at other outdoor sites this year, including less maintenance on some DNR trails.

Backpackers, here's the deal for the Chelan Lakeshore trail in 2026

Apr 28, 2026

What's closed, what's open and what to bring to camp on this popular trail this year.

Keeping the Pacific Crest Wild

The Pacific Crest Trail is home to some of the finest wilderness areas in the U.S. — and they need your help. By Joseph Gonzalez

Rolling out safety: How a student inspired a new gear solution

Apr 22, 2026

Thanks to a collaborative effort between WTA, the BRIDGES program and Switchback Repair - WTA's OLT program has a safe solution to knife and utensil storage.

New trail to top of Big Rock took jackhammers, rock drills and many volunteers

Apr 17, 2026

The WTA crews have dared to do what the glaciers could not: Make a trail up Big Rock. The new route offers safe access to stunning views of the Skagit Valley.

Hiker Headlines: Harts Pass Rd closed, road to Enchanted Valley damaged, Rainier and North Cascades permits, Mountain Loop Hwy opens

Apr 16, 2026

The road to Hart's Pass, a key Pacific Crest Trail access point, is closed due to storm damage. Graves Creek Road, which provides access to the Enchanted Valley trailhead in Olympic National Park, is closed due to erosion. Mount Rainier and North Cascades national parks are set to release more backcountry permits. The seasonal Deer Creek gate on the Mountain Loop Hwy is open. And summer-long construction on Forest Road 29 (Sitkum-Sol Duc Road) is about to kick off.

Hiker Headlines: Stehekin and Johnston Ridge Observatory road repairs begin, fee-free day, mountain snow

Apr 16, 2026

April 22 is Earth Day, and parking fees will be waived on state-managed lands. Work has started both on a temporary road near Stehekin and the road to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. A couple of campgrounds and day-use areas in Capitol State Forest are closed this summer. And, a new layer of snow hit the mountains this week!

What’s the future for the bridge to the Northwest side of Mount Rainier?

Apr 13, 2026

In April, the 103-year-old Fairfax Bridge over the Carbon River closed permanently to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic, effectively cutting off access to the northwest side of Mount Rainier National Park. The Washington State Department of Transportation is now considering two options for the future: rebuilding the bridge north of its current location or keeping the bridge permanently closed.

Hiker Headlines: Olympic National Park permits, share your support for the Roadless Rule

Apr 09, 2026

Olympic National Park permits for the summer season will be available starting April 15. You’re invited to a community meeting to provide public comments on the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, sponsored by WTA and other conservation and recreation organizations. Washington State Parks now has same-day camping reservations at all campgrounds. And join the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on April 25!

Re-organization and massive budget cuts, including 64% cut to trail maintenance, could break the U.S. Forest Service

Apr 09, 2026

New plans to move the headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service, eliminate regional offices and massively cut trail maintenance funding increase risks to the public lands we love and rely on.

Hiker Headlines: WTA is hiring, trail photos and live music, trail reroute complete

Apr 02, 2026

WTA is still hiring for our summer professional trail work crew! Join us on April 24 for a night of music and beautiful nature photography at Crescendo, a collaboration between WTA and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. King County Parks has announced the opening of a reroute of the Licorice Fern trail on Cougar Mountain. And it’s nearly rattlesnake season.

A guide to hiking with your pet (rock) in Washington

Apr 01, 2026

The latest trail companion trend is sure to rock your hiking socks.

How to keep your food safe when backpacking

Protecting your food is important for you — and for wildlife. | By Sandra Saathoff

Hiker Headlines: Dog Mountain permit season soon, Hiker Happy Hour, Highway 20 spring clearing starts

Mar 26, 2026

Join WTA in Ellensburg on April 2 for a fun Hiker Happy Hour! It’s almost Dog Mountain hiking permit season. There’s an emergency closure on the Palouse to Cascades Trail near Lake Easton. And Olympic National Forest has released their campground schedule for the 2026 season. WSDOT has started clearing the North Cascades Hwy.

Dog mountain permits available now, to be required starting April 11 in 2026

Mar 26, 2026

Permits for Dog Mountain in 2026 are on sale March 15. If you drive to the trailhead on Saturday, Sundays or on Memorial Day between April 11 and June 7, you will need a Dog Mountain permit in addition to a Northwest Forest Pass.

Big flood, strong response: Kicking off a season of critical trail repairs

Mar 20, 2026

The winter storms of December 2025 left exceptional damage across the state. Countless trails were buried under debris and unsafe to access. In some places, restoration couldn’t wait. WTA crews were called in for a rapid response to rescue the trail leading from the Cispus Learning Center to Curtain Falls.

Hiker Headlines: Closures on Highway 20, at Heybrook Ridge Park and state parks

Mar 19, 2026

Several closures are in place after recent storms and other issues, including on Highway 20 and multiple state parks. Heybrook Ridge Park is also closed for a few months for construction. Cascade Backcountry Alliance is asking you to share your experience winter recreating in the Snoqualmie Pass region. And, keep an eye out for the Washington State Department of Ecology's new mascot for their "We Keep WA Litter Free" campaign.

Facing a budget deficit, legislators cut funding for state parks and recreation lands

Mar 17, 2026

Washington state’s legislative session ended on March 12. Facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, budget writers made difficult decisions, including cuts to funding for the upkeep and care of our state parks and other state recreation lands.

Trip report: Bringing the concerns of hikers to Washington D.C.

Mar 13, 2026

Washington Trails Association has a long history of bringing people together to protect recreational lands. Part of that work is advocating at the federal level. WTA was in Washington D.C. last week talking with federal officials and lawmakers about the importance of trails, access to the outdoors and preserving our wild and iconic places.

Hiker Headlines: Forest Service to hire seasonal staff, Free Day, join us on trail

Mar 12, 2026

The Forest Service has ended their seasonal staff hiring freeze, and will be hiring up to 2,000 staff this year! March 19, is Washington State Parks’ 113th birthday, and parking fees will be waived on state-managed lands. North Cascades National Park has announced emergency reconstruction plans for Company Creek Road after funding availability. And, join us on trail this summer!

For first time since 2024, Forest Service hires seasonal trails staff

Mar 11, 2026

After a hiring freeze that began in the fall of 2024, the U.S. Forest Service is hiring up to 2,000 seasonal staff across the country this year. Hiring seasonal workers is particularly critical after last year’s cuts to regular Forest Service staff.

A quieter side of Mount Rainier

Just outside the park, Snoquera offers great hiking, biking and more. WTA is leading the way to an even brighter future for this special area | By Cassidy Giampetro

WTA leads careful planning to create better outdoor experiences northeast of Mount Rainier

Mar 06, 2026

WTA is taking action to keep trails accessible in Snoquera, outside Mount Rainier National Park. We are working with a group of passionate recreation and conservation groups to breathe life into the area’s trails. Our goal is to create a future where Snoquera trails are long-lasting, well-built and maintained and easy to access.

Hiker Headlines: Now hiring, WTA in D.C., free day, wet weekend weather

Mar 05, 2026

WTA is in Washington, D.C., this week to advocate for more funding and protections for our public lands. We're also hiring! Next Monday is Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday, and parking fees will be waived on state-managed lands. And prepare for a rainy and snowy weekend.

Hike It, Spring 2026: Adventures for Spring

Three trails to hike in spring — plus nearby fun to extend your trip. | Washington Trails magazine, Spring 2026 issue.

'An incredible accomplishment' — How WTA helped get 20K kids outside

Mar 04, 2026

WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program has supported over 20,000 youth experiences thanks to our gear libraries and funding assistance.

Hiker Headlines: North Cascades permit lottery, no timed entry permits at Mount Rainier in 2026, Suiattle River Road closure

Feb 26, 2026

The lottery for backcountry camping permits in North Cascades National Park opens on March 2. Mount Rainier National Park has announced it is not requiring timed entry permits in 2026. The Suiattle River Road has an official closure order in place due to flood damage. And there’s only a few days left to enter WTA’s Golden Roll trip report giveaway!

Seattle Mountain Rescue is there to help when things go wrong

Seattle Mountain Rescue volunteers have been helping hikers and other people who love the outdoors for decades. | By Tiffany Chou

Hiker Headlines: Register for WTA backcountry trips, Hiker Happy Hours, WTA is hiring

Feb 19, 2026

In WTA’s world: Registration for backcountry trail work parties opens this Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m., we’re hiring for a Central Puget Sound trail crew leader and we hope you’ll join us for a youth spring break camp and some of our Hiker Happy Hours coming up soon!