Nature on Trail
Trip Reporters Put the Fun in Fungus
Oct 27, 2021
Mushrooms begin popping up when rain returns to the forest and the variety of colors and shapes can stop hikers in their tracks. Trip reporters have been turning their cameras on these intriguing fungi this fall, giving us all a chance to share in the wonder. Check out some of the fungi found in recent trip reports.
Read More
Why do Leaves Turn Colors in the Fall?
Oct 21, 2021
We know those colors are fun to look at, and make for excellent photos, but it also raises the question of “why?” Why do leaves turn different colors in the fall?
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Gear Libraries, Lyle Cherry Reopening, Wolverines, Community Science
Aug 26, 2021
WTA is excited to open our second gear library in Puget Sound. Lyle Cherry Orchard trails are once again open to hikers. Wildfire season isn't over yet — but we can help you plan around it. Wolverines are making a comeback in the Cascades. And, our local pikas could use your help. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Read More
Ask WTA: How Do Columnar Basalt and Andesite Form?
May 12, 2021
If you’ve ever seen cliffs made of towering columns, it’s hard to forget that gorgeous, dark rock, fitted together in a near-perfect repeating pattern. It’s mesmerizing and it inevitably raises the question — how on Earth did that happen? The story starts millions of years ago, deep in the Earth. ...
Read More
Ask WTA: How Are Bear Cans Tested?
Feb 17, 2021
If you’ve ever hauled a bear canister along on a backpacking trip, you know they’re sturdy. And, if you’ve ever tried to open one while tired or in the dark, you know they can be tricky to get into. But how do the manufacturers of approved bear canisters actually know that a bear can’t get into them?
Read More
Nature on Trail: Cougar and Licorice Fern
Feb 08, 2021
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the cougar and licorice fern, and where you can find them.
Read More
See Wildlife on a Hike? Your Observations Help Conservation Researchers
Jan 29, 2021
Spot a bat, Pacific marten or Prairie falcon on your hike? After the ecological damage of recent wildfires, conservation researchers at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife need your observations from the trail more than ever.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Artist Point Closing, Fee Free Day, Lahar Monitoring, Tonasket District, Aggressive Owls
Oct 08, 2020
It’s October 8th. State Parks are free this Saturday. Mount Rainier National Park wants your thoughts on changes to volcanic monitoring. The Tonasket Ranger District is now administered by the Colville National Forest. The good kind of forest fires, prescribed burns, are scheduled for the fall. And unseasonably frequent owl attacks have been reported. Here’s some news you might have missed while out on trail this week.”
Read More
Your Daily Dose of Cute Wildlife
Aug 31, 2020
You're welcome.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Baby Wolverines, Closures, Forestland for the Community, Free State Parks Day
Aug 20, 2020
It's Aug. 20. Scientists in Mount Rainier made an exciting discovery recently. Folks in Kittitas County can help shape the future of nearby forestland. An upcoming closure at Olympic National Park may impact your hiking plans. And on Tuesday, you won't need a Discover Pass to explore state parks. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trails this week.
Read More
Nature on Trail: River Otter and Mountain Bog Gentian
Jul 29, 2020
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the river otter and mountain bog gentian, and where you can find them.
Read More
Apps WTA is Loving Right Now
Jun 14, 2020
Apps on our phone are not only a way to connect to each other, they’re also a way to connect to nature. Right now, our phones are a lifeline for many to the broader world and the people we love. They can also serve as a bit of necessary rest and a way to connect with the natural world. From flora and fauna to running and, of course, hiking, here are some apps that WTA staff members are loving right now.
Read More
Nature on Trail: Big Sagebrush and Anna's Hummingbird
Jun 09, 2020
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the big sagebrush and Anna's hummingbird, and where you can find them.
Read More
Hiking With Critters, Large and Small: What You Need to Know
May 12, 2020
Wildlife encounters on trail can be a source of awe or … itching. Here are a few of the wild creatures people routinely ask us about and tips on how to make potential encounters as positive as possible.
Read More
Nature on Trail: Yellow Warbler and Salmonberry
Mar 31, 2020
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the yellow warbler and salmonberry, and where you can find them.
Read More
Nature on Trail: Roosevelt Elk, Western Redcedar
Jan 24, 2020
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the Roosevelt Elk and Western Redcedar, and where you can find them.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Fisher Success, Legislature in Session, St. Helens License Plates
Jan 16, 2020
It's Jan. 16. Eight more fishers were recently released into the wild. The state Legislature is back in session. Monday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which you can celebrate with free access to public lands. And if you'd like a Mount St. Helens license plate, the state wants to know. Here's some news you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Read More
Where the Wild Things Are
How scientists are using motion-activated cameras and other methods to learn more about elusive wildlife | By Keiko Betcher
Read More
The Trees are Talking
How plants communicate and cooperate to survive environmental threats | By Keiko Betcher
Read More
Nature on Trail: Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Lupine
Sep 23, 2019
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the Northern Saw-Whet Owl and Lupine, and where you can find them.
Read More
One Trip Reporter You Otter Get to Know
Sep 13, 2019
Most trip reporters are humans, but sometimes a clever critter chimes in with valuable insight from their most recent hike. Meet River, who is helping fellow hikers — and sharing a lot of joy.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Meteor Showers, Parks Funding, North Cascades Grizzlies
Aug 09, 2019
The Perseids return this weekend. King County voters approved their parks funding. Got opinions on grizzlies? North Cascades wants to hear. And there's a new wilderness designation in Colville.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Fire Smarts, Olympics Goats Relocation, WTA's Hike-a-Thon
Jul 03, 2019
It’s Wednesday, July 3. Be smart about fire safety this weekend. Goats are being relocated again in the Olympics, affecting some popular trails. We launched our annual Hike-a-Thon event. Award shines spotlight on expanding the outdoor narrative.
Read More
Nature on Trail: Moose, Elephant's Head
Jun 20, 2019
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two local species, the moose and elephant's head, and where you can find them.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Safety Pink, National Parks, Climbing Ranger Gigs and Bats
Apr 25, 2019
It's April 25. Pink is for safety. Spring is for celebrating national parks And bats needs us humans to take care of them. Here’s some hiker news that you may have missed while out on trail this week.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Park Rx, New Public Lands Holiday, North Cascades Hwy Opens
Apr 18, 2019
It's April 18. The North Cascade Hwy opened today. King County's Trailhead Direct bus hiking service starts up this weekend. And, fresh out of Olympia, our state has a new Public Lands holiday.
Read More
Hiker Headlines: New Wolf Pack, Raise a Toast to Trails, Beware Olympics Road Construction and Cascades Snow
Apr 11, 2019
It's April 11. Washington wolves have moved to the west side of the state. We'd love to raise a toast to trails with you in Ellensburg. It's the beginning of road work season — and it's still snow season in the mountaing.
Read More
Nature on Trail: Avalanche Lily, Pygmy Rabbit
Apr 05, 2019
Washington's wild places are teeming with life. Learn a bit more about two common species, the Yellow Avalanche Lily and Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit, and where you can find them.
Read More
Quiz: Are You a Hiker or a Hibernator?
Jan 11, 2019
Are you a dozing bear or a hopping hare?
Read More
How to Photograph Wildlife in Winter
Shorter days and colder weather doesn't mean you need to put the camera away for the winter season.
Read More