About Washington Trails Association Welcome to Washington Trails Association ( WTA ), the voice for hikers in Washington state. We believe hiking trails are our link to wilderness. We protect hiking trails and wild lands, take volunteers out to maintain trails, and promote hiking as a healthy, fun way to explore the outdoors. Mission: Washington Trails Association's mission is to preserve, enhance, and promote hiking opportunities in Washington state through collaboration, education, advocacy and volunteer trail maintenance. Programs: Washington Trails Association, our job is helping hikers explore and protect the wilderness surrounding us. Learn about our work to protect and maintain Washington's hiking trails. Accomplishments: From creating Washington's largest volunteer trail maintenance program to reforming legislation that allocates trail funding, find out what WTA has accomplished since our founding in 1966. History: WTA began in 1966 as Signpost magazine and soon grew to a community of hikers speaking out for trails and wildlands. Staff and Board: Meet our board of directors and friendly staff who support WTA's work through outreach, program management, advocacy, administration and more.