Washington Trails Magazine

“I felt connected to nature when I saw a real elk for the first time in my life!" For Gerardo, that single moment on a trail in Olympic National Park captured something The Woods Project has spent two decades trying to give young people like him: a direct, unforgettable encounter with the natural world. Houston high school students enjoy time outside together thanks to the Woods Projcet and WTA. Photo courtesy of the Woods Project.

It’s Aug. 27. Join WTA online for Hike the State on Sept. 2! More trails have been closed due to fires or construction work. And, more Dambo trolls are coming to Washington state! Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. A traveling exhibit of 12 Thomas Dambo trolls, like Jakob Two Trees (above) in Issaquah, will be visiting South Puget Sound in October. Photo by trip reporter mmills. Hike the State: Join WTA at Hike the State online from 6–7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept.

It’s Aug. 20. More fire closures were announced this week, including a major closure on the Pacific Crest Trail in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. However, portions of Riverside State Park and Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail have reopened after recent fires. There's a proposal to ban backpacking in the Ancient Lakes area — you can share if backpacking there is important to you.

What do Baker Lake, Heather-Maple Pass Loop and Lake Chelan have in common? They are all protected by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For the past generation, the Roadless Rule has kept more than a quarter of our national forests safe. But those protections are at risk. The Roadless Rule protects superb hiking, wildlife habitat and clean drinking water for 80 million people nationally — including communities in Washington state — by preventing activities like road construction and logging.

Steep cliffs, dramatic views and multiple lakes within a short hike from the trailhead are all part of what makes the Ancient Lakes area near the Columbia River a popular destination for hikers and backpackers. Ancient Lakes and nearby Dusty Lake (also referred to by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as Babcock Bench) are particularly attractive for hiking, biking and backpacking in the spring and early summer, when many other camping destinations are covered in snow.

It’s Aug. 12  Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. Mount Rainier National Park has closed roads and trails in the Sunrise and White River area of the park to respond to a fire in Grand Park. The Forest Service has closed roads, trails and campgrounds near the Three Queens Fire. Spokane takes stock of fire damage, and large parts of the state suffer unhealthy air conditions and ongoing fire danger. The Perseid meteor shower will peak this week.

WTA's Northwest Exposure Photo Contest is now open until October 12, you can enter today! And, for the first time ever, we’re including a contest within a contest! Thanks to the generous support of Glazer’s Camera, we will be awarding four gift certificates to the Glazer’s Photo Lab, where you can print your favorite memories on trail to cherish forever! During the contest, we will feature four "SnapShot winners," who will be selected at random.

It’s Aug. 6. WTA’s annual Northwest Exposure Photo Contest is opening soon! We’re also hiring for a full-time multiday trip program coordinator. This Sunday is Smokey Bear’s birthday and a fee-free day on state-managed lands. And it’s been a fire-heavy week, with more closures across the state. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. This Sunday is Smokey Bear's birthday! Discover Passes will not be needed on state-managed lands. Photo by Donna Walsh.

At WTA, we ♥ public transit — because access to the outdoors shouldn't depend on owning a car. We want to make sure you have the intel you need to take public transit to trailheads across the state. And, we regularly advocate for legislation like the Transit to Trails Act, which would fund more public transportation to trailheads. This summer, we're also bringing trails ... to transit! Look around on your next Link Light Rail or Sound Transit bus ride — you might just see your favorite trail.

It’s July 30. Tomorrow is World Ranger Day! WTA is hiring for an Outdoor Leadership Training Gear Library Assistant. Maintenance projects will temporarily close some trailheads on Highway 20 in August, including Rainy Pass. And fires are burning across the state, resulting in dozens of trail closures. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. The Little Giant Fire continues to burn in the Wenatchee River Ranger District. Photo by trip reporter pnw_rover.