Blog Posts of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association

Year-end Reflection from PNTA Executive Director, Jeff Kish

Year-end Reflection from PNTA Executive Director, Jeff Kish As I reflect on 2025, I’m encouraged by the strength and resilience our community showed in a year unlike any other. Even as our federal partners scaled back dramatically, PNTA stepped forward with determination, creativity, and a renewed sense of purpose. We strengthened our staff, expanded our…

PNTA Performance Crews Successful at Reopening North Cascades Closure

PNTA Performance Crews Successful at Reopening North Cascades Closure For the past three years, six miles of the PNT within North Cascades National Park have been closed due to a wildfire in 2022. This closure has prevented trail users from enjoying the beauty of the North Cascades whether they’re passing through on a day hike,…

After Three Year Closure, The North Cascades Brush Creek Trail Re-opens!

After Three Year Closure, the North Cascades Brush Creek Trail Re-opens! After three years of being closed due to wildfire damage, the Brush Creek Trail in the North Cascades National Park is open! This allows trail users to fully traverse North Cascades National Park — and the entire Pacific Northwest Trail — for the first…

Over 2,122 Logs and Counting: The PNTA Performance Crews Are Hard At Work

Over 2,122 Logs and Counting: The PNTA Performance Crews Are Hard At Work With four hitches down and a few more to go, our performance trail crews are still working hard on the PNT. From clearing over 500 logs in a single hitch to maintaining hundreds of feet of tread, our performance trail crews continue…

Protecting the Wild Heart of the Pacific Northwest Trail: Why the Roadless Rule Matters

Protecting the Wild Heart of the Pacific Northwest Trail: Why the Roadless Rule Matters The Pacific Northwest Trail offers hikers an unparalleled journey across the wild heart of Washington, Idaho and Montana. From towering forests and clear-running streams to sweeping mountain vistas, the trail’s magic depends on landscapes that feel untouched. Much of that magic…

Small Crews Go To Great Lengths To Protect the PNT

Small Crews Go To Great Lengths To Protect the PNT Our performance trail crews have their boots on the trail and cross-cut saws in their hands — putting their time and grit into keeping the Pacific Northwest Trail open. From multi-day logouts to excavating giant boulders, our five PNTA Performance Crews are now completing their…

Land Management Cuts Continued: What to Expect in the Year Ahead

Last month, I wrote about how staffing and funding cuts to federal agencies and nonprofit partners like PNTA would likely impact the management of public lands. This is a report of the most recent developments for the PNT and what trail users should expect in the year ahead. Agency Budgets In March, congress averted a…

PNTA Executive Director in the United States Capitol in 2025.

Who Will Keep Our Trails Open? The Federal Cuts Threatening Public Lands

Pacific Northwest Trail Association’s Executive Director, Jeff Kish, recently flew to Washington, DC to advocate for the Pacific Northwest Trail, public lands in general, and the dedicated workers who care for them. Read below to learn what’s at stake. Since mid-February, the news that federal land management agencies have been forced to lay off…

November Trail Notes

Trail Notes is a monthly email that goes out to Pacific Northwest Trail Association members, providing a deeper look into the PNT, trail folks, and our organization. If you have a question about this month’s topic, send them to Robynlynn@pnt.org, – we may answer yours when we make this edition of Trail Notes public on our…

Washington End of Year Round- Ups Bring Trail Communities Closer

PNTA and trailside communities in Washington enjoyed two end-of-year Round-Ups to close out the 2024 trail season. On the evening of Thursday, October 10, 2024, over thirty members, trail angels, volunteers, curious community members, and trail users joined the PNTA staff and board to fill Wander Brewing in Bellingham, Washington. It was an enthusiastic crowd…

October Trail Notes

Fall is my favorite time to hike. The crisp, clear air and fewer people on the trail are ideal for steeper treks to spectacular views. But it’s also the time of year when I am reminded of the importance of emergency preparedness and training. Many years ago, I broke my leg and dislocated my shoulder…

What Heroes Look Like

Several recent articles and stories referenced a Facebook post. Here’s that piece in its entirety. I feel compelled to make this statement in regard to the rescue of the missing hiker, Robert Schock, in North Cascades National Park this past week, because I think there are some important details that are missing from recent public…

Blog Posts of the Pacific Northwest Trail Association

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