Washington Trails Association

05/31/2026

Improvising your hikes is chopped. Baddies make a plan with WTA’s Trailblazer app 💅🏼

05/29/2026

Here at WTA, we have the privilege of working with incredible outdoor leaders from across sectors. But how do these leaders get started on their outdoor journeys?

Meet Saira Shahid, event coordinator volunteer with Outdoor Asian Washington. Saira recently spoke with us about how to develop a sense of belonging in the outdoors, the power of volunteering and awesome Outdoor Asian programs.

📸 Photo by Patty Tang

05/28/2026

Get ready for some big road openings near Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and surrounding areas 🌲

Rainier: Stevens Canyon Road, Sunrise Road to White River Campground, Cayuse Pass (SR 123) and Chinook Pass (SR 410) are all open for the summer season.

Olympic: Graves Creek Road is expected to open June 1. Backcountry camping permits for Enchanted Valley for the remainder of the summer season will be released starting at 9 a.m. on June 3.

📸 Photo courtesy of trip reporter Jim K

05/27/2026

Washington's outdoors go BIG: Big trees, big forests and big views. But what about the little things? Macro photography can help.

Here are some tips to level-up your macro photography 👇️

📷️ Get super close to the subject. Less than a foot.
📷️ Focus on what's essential. Reduce clutter by directing the viewers' eye
📷️ Optimize lighting. Avoid harsh light and beware of your own shadow
📷️ Move your body. Don't be afraid to get in the dirt to capture new angles

What's a tip that helped your photography?

🌼 Photos courtesy of Doug Diekema

05/26/2026

Last winter’s storm damage will affect your summer hiking plans ⛈️⁠
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Join WTA for a webinar on June 9 to learn about the damage and how you can help restore our public lands. We’ll hear from:⁠
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🌲 Dan Rankin, mayor of Darrington, WA⁠
🌲 Jaime Loucky, WTA CEO⁠
🌲 Erin Uloth, forest supervisor of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service

📸 Photo by Ann Marshall⁠
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05/25/2026

Hikers take to the outdoors every Memorial Day weekend to reconnect with nature and to honor the military personnel who are no longer with us. Green spaces are the perfect place to reflect and heal.

Here are three ways nature benefits our health, as shared at the Northwest Nature & Health Symposium hosted by the University of Washington Center for Nature and Health:

🌲 Walking in nature is proven to reduce depressive symptoms
🌲 Green spaces save Washingtonians hundreds in healthcare costs annually
🌲 Outdoor programs enhance youth development skills

Happy, healthy hiking 💚

📸 Photo by Eric Richmond

05/23/2026

Headed outside for Memorial Day weekend? Here are some of the latest updates to public lands you should know before you go.

05/22/2026

“Do the chickens have large talons?” 🐔

Not quite, Napoleon. You’re unlikely to run into a chicken on trail, but you MIGHT run into a grouse. And if you don’t see one, you’re equally likely to hear one — male grouse are known for making a low, loud drumming sound by beating their wings against the air.

There are a variety of grouse species found across Washington, including one species of ptarmigan (a different bird species, but in the same subfamily).

Where have you seen grouse on trail?

Pictured: a male grouse with golden neck ruff feathers.

📸 Photo by Brian Walsh

05/21/2026

Learn the latest trail closures, road openings and hiking news before you head outside for Memorial Day weekend 🥾

Memorial Day is a fee-free day on federally-managed lands. Trailhead Direct service starts up this weekend! Ahead of the long weekend, multiple national forests have shared info about road work this summer. And be aware of other closures too, including weekday closures of Hurricane Hill Road and a s...

05/19/2026

Trail work is something we do. Connection is what we’re about.

“Three years and three positions later, I know one thing to be true: I have found a place where I can not only exist, but thrive,” says Liza Noworyta, professional crew coordinator.

One staffer reflects on WTA culture and creating space to be human — one trail at a time.

📸 Photo by Tara Kocur