Backcountry permits for Olympic National Park open next week. We have an upcoming event with a chance to support public lands. Plus changes you should know about Washington State Park campground reservations. All this and more in this week's Hiker Headlines:

The U.S. Forest Service needs your help. Visit the link below to take action now. These changes and budget cuts proposed by the White House have the potential to break the U.S. Forest Service. Take action now: wta.quorum.us/campaign/160...

Happy #TrailTuesday! Today's share is the first place winner of our 2025 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest's Trailscapes category, as captured by photographer Jon Stickney 📸

Time to come out of hibernation and and enjoy spring, hikers. Before you go, here are some spring-specific hiking tips you should keep in mind.

When is an Easter egg not an actual Easter egg? When a trail has a hidden feature or surprise! And Washington’s got a bunch of ‘em 🐣 Reminder to abide by these guidelines if you visit: Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program has officially supported over 20,000 youth experiences (and 30,000 total experiences) since 2013! Our gear libraries, funding assistance and awesome community partners have made it possible. Join us in commemorating this BIG milestone 🎉

Here is a WTA trip report is another update on the conditions re: Highway 20, the road that runs through the North Cascades. As always, many of us eagerly await the opening of this highway. Just check it out some (summer) day! @washingtontrails.bsky.social www.wta.org/go-hiking/tr...

Revel in live music and beautiful nature photos at Crescendo on April 24, learn about a trail reroute at Cougar Mountain, WTA is hiring and more on this week's Hiker Headlines.

Awesome contributions from WTA crews at Tolt-MacDonald Park!

We’re #hiring a seasonal Pro Trail Crew Member! Professional trail crews work April - October on front and backcountry projects statewide. Learn more and apply by April 7 at wta.org/careers #Nonprofit #TrailWork #CoolJobs

Looking for a hiking pet that plays gneiss and doesn’t drop trailside schist? Move over, hiking dogs and adventure cats: Washington hikers have adopted a new favorite trail companion — the pet rock. #GeologyRocks #Hiking #Pets #Washington

I just have to love the beauty of this trip report, and the dedication of the trip reporter. What a spot on planet Earth! @washingtontrails.bsky.social www.wta.org/go-hiking/tr...

#Washington state’s legislative session ended on 3/12. Facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit, budget writers made difficult decisions, including cuts to funding for state lands.⁠ ⁠ Voices like yours helped minimize the cuts and build the case for the importance of Washington’s outdoor places.

This WTA trip report is actually an update on conditions on the North Cascades Highway. Every spring I anxiously await its opening, including opening the North Cascades Visitor Center (highly recommend a visit). @washingtontrails.bsky.social www.wta.org/go-hiking/tr...

For the first time in WTA March Madness history, the mighty orca has claimed the championship! The orca went head to head with the banana slug, fox, marmot and mountain goat. All are iconic to Washington, and none more so than the orca. 📸 Photo courtesy of Stephanie Morris

Here is a WTA trip report that shows just how awesome some trip reporters are. This hike is a tough one at any time but in the snow? Respect! @washingtontrails.bsky.social www.wta.org/go-hiking/tr...

Learn about Hiker Happy Hour in Ellensburg on April 2 with Fortuity Cellars, Dog Mountain permits and more on this week's Hiker Headlines.

Join WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training for a hiking workshop on 4/18/26! This 6-hour entry-level course is focused on everything you need to know to lead a successful outing with a group of youth or families. Register at give.wta.org/event/olt-hiking-workshop-04-18-2026/e743176 Photo Shane Welch

the solution to your problems probably isn't a porcupine lost in thought, but we thought we should check 🤔

Hikers of Central Washington: Join us at Hiker Happy Hour with Fortuity Cellars in Ellensburg on 4/2/26! Connect with fellow hikers, get the inside scoop on trails in your region and find out how to get involved. Tickets cost $25 and include a drink ticket, appetizers and a membership to WTA!

You’re invited to Crescendo: A Symphonic Celebration of Washington Landscapes, our third annual event in collaboration with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra! Save your spot at www.seattlesymphony.org/en/benaroyahall/bh-calendar/2025-2026/26-nwso-wa-landscapes #Symphony #PhotoContest

Have you heard of Snoquera? It’s a forested landscape near the northeast corner of #MountRainierNationalPark and has more than 185 miles of designated Forest Service Trails. In 2025, WTA helped partners to create the Snoquera Trails Coalition to research trail use.

Happy #WorldBearDay 🐻 This ⁠image is the winner of the Instagram category of our 2025 Northwest Exposure photo contest. Hiker Jolena Tagg was in search of wildflowers near Lake Eleanor when she came across this black bear.

From record flooding to massive tree blowdowns, December’s storms left many of our favorite trails unrecognizable. At the Cispus Environmental Learning Center, one trail was completely buried — leaving land managers with a massive problem and no immediate solution.

Highway 20 is closed due to a major rock fall, @ecology.wa.gov has a new spokesmarmot to keep Washington litter-free, trail closures and more on this week's Hiker Headlines. #Washington #Nonprofit #Hiking

Tomorrow marks the first day of #spring, making now the perfect time to hit an after-work hike. That’s why we’ve curated a list of 18 evening trails for when sunset starts later ⬇️

You like #waterfalls ? Check out this WTA trip report. www.wta.org/go-hiking/tr...

We're kicking off our #MarchMadness - Washington #Wildlife edition! Vote for your favorite Washington wildlife on our Instagram stories the rest of this month🏀⁠ ⁠ www.instagram.com/washingtontrails These images were submitted to WTA's 2025 Northwest Exposure photo contest ➡️⁠

Get lost in a little green today 🍀⁠ ⁠ 📸 Photos by Sean Petersmark, Andrew Porter and Jill Goulet

We'd like to thank the volunteers, donors, land managers, partners and trip reporters who help make WTA your favorite place for all things trails in Washington. And the Oscar goes to... 🎥 #Washington #AcademyAwards #Oscars2026 #Hiking

Huge snowflakes falling faster than my 401(k) in Edmonds WA (@washingtontrails.bsky.social magazine for scale) #wawx

Last week, WTA’s Michael DeCramer visited the OTHER Washington as part of Hike the Hill, a joint effort to bring together the trails community: www.wta.org/news/signpost/trip-report-bringing-the-concerns-of-hikers-to-washington-d-c 📸 Media courtesy of Tyler Ray and Michael DeCramer

Good news, hikers: U.S. #ForestService is hiring up to 2,000 seasonal staff across the nation! Huge thanks to the 1,200+ WTA hikers who messaged #Congress in January. Learn about an upcoming fee-free day, flood reconstruction in North Cascades #NationalPark and more.

In the wake of 2025's massive staff firings at the U.S. Forest Service, North Central #Washington's most popular trails need support more than ever. Fortunately, the Forest Service is hiring around 50 seasonal workers in 2026. Learn how WTA is helping trails, as shared by Wenatchee World 🌲

We're #hiring for a Development Coordinator to support our development team with donor communications, record keeping and more. This role is full-time with a hybrid remote work model based out of WTA's Seattle office. Priority application date: March 25, 2026 Learn more and apply: wta.org/careers

Today is dedicated to Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually elder and champion of environmental and treaty rights. In 2014, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge was renamed in his honor. Here’s glimpse of the fun wildlife you might find at the national wildlife refuge. Can you name each species?

Since 1966, we've been on a mission to connect everyone to the #outdoors and build a community that gives back to trails and public lands. Today, our work is more important than ever. Check out our 5-year roadmap to join the movement to protect the future of trails: www.wta.org/our-work

Learn about WTA's visit to Washington, D.C. for Hike the Hill, fee-free lands next Monday, WTA is hiring and more on this week's Hiker Headlines.

What do all these images have in common? They were shared via WTA trip reports! 🏔️ thebrink from White Chuck Bench ⛰️ Tirhimjt from Marmot Pass 🐶 kidz won’t hike from Dog Mountain 🌲 ejain from Chambers Creek Canyon Get the latest trail conditions & incredible images like these at wta.org/tripreports

In fall 2024, #Washington Trails Association and Snohomish County Parks & Recreation connected for a hands-on bridge-building workshop. Only months later, rangers used what they learned to help design and build a new bridge at Southwest County Park in Edmonds, directly improving access.

Take action to prevent closures to campgrounds, trails and bathrooms on state lands via the link below: Washington State Department of Natural Resources will need to close sites and reduce visitor services, if that agency doesn't receive more funding in the state budget.

Updates on Mount Rainier timed entry and lottery permits for the North Cascades. Plus news on trail closures from flood damage. And there’s only a few days left to enter WTA’s Golden Roll trip report giveaway. Learn more in this week's Hiker Headlines.

What’s more glorious than a clean trailhead privy? Mention bathroom conditions in a trip report this February for the chance to win a golden roll of toilet paper 🧻⁠ ⁠ Winners will be chosen at random in March. File your trip report today: www.wta.org/go-hiking/tr...

Trails bring people together. That's why we're sharing the second place photo of our 2025 #Northwest Exposure photo contest's #Trail Family category. This shot of a mentor and mentee walking side by side was snapped near the end of a hike at Union Creek by Esaac Mazengia 📸 Photo by Esaac Mazengia

You’re invited to Crescendo: A Symphonic Celebration of #Washington Landscapes, our third annual event in collaboration with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra! Save your spot at wta.org/symphony

On this February’s Washington Trails News Update, learn what to consider when planning a wedding on public land, how to join WTA for a backcountry work party in 2026 and fun trip reports statewide.

WTA is hiring, teens in Skagit and Whatcom counties are invited to join us for a youth spring break camp, hang with WTA staff and volunteers at upcoming Hiker Happy Hour events and more on this week's edition.

7 years ago, the cultural phenomenon of #GameofThrones came to an end. But A Song of Ice and Fire wasn't done with us yet: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' season 1 finale premieres this weekend. Join us in hiking the Westeros of Washington with these jaw-dropping trails (dragons not included) 🐲🏰🍷

Join WTA for Hiker Happy Hour! Connect with fellow hikers, get the inside scoop on #trails in your region and find out how to get involved. 🍻 #Portland: March 12 🍻 #Spokane: March 26. 🍻 #Ellensburg: April 2 Get your tickets today: www.wta.org/news/signpost/hiker-events-coming-up-this-month

We're #hiring for a Trail Crew Leader to lead work parties in the Central Puget Sound. This is a full-time, field-based position based from the North Bend Tool Cache. Learn more and apply at wta.org/careers Priority application date: March 5 #NonProfit #Washington