Traverse of 6 summmits
No snow except for patches near East Tiger
Lots of blow down which obscures the trail at Karls Gap
East Tiger Trail off of East Tiger is faint, but followable.
No signs at the Bootleg-EastTiger connection.
Section line free of debris

I started this hike at the Preston Trail trailhead on SE Preston Way off of Exit 22 on I-90. This was another solo hike while a broken bone in Sally's foot is healing. The trailhead is located just east of the WSDOT maintenance yard by a chainlink fence. I parked on the shoulder of the road as there is no parking lot or restroom at this location. Once up to the PSE power line road (very rocky the first 1/4 mile)I headed west for 1/2 mile to where the Preston Trail takes off up through the forest to the Dwight's Way Trail junction. Then I headed up the lower Bootleg Trail to meet up with the W. Tiger #1 Trail. From there I hiked up the Middle Bootleg Trail where I met three woman untra trail runners heading down. Sections of this trail are pretty muddy with the melt water from patches of snow along and on the trail in spots. Once at the Paw Print Trail I hiked a short distance to the junction with the East Tiger Trail. I came to an old DNR clearcut near Sodeman Creek on the East Tiger Trail so found a sunny place to sit on a fallen tree for lunch. There is a view of snow covered peaks to the north. The trail crosses a logging road that is not shown on the GT Tiger Mtn. map. After crossing the creek the trail heads uphill through a boggy area, then further uphill to the junction with the Preston RR Grade Trail. This is where I turned around for the hike back down. The East Tiger Trail has several blown down trees across it, while the other trails have been cut out. Someone had been riding a mtn. bike down the Bootleg Trails and causing drainage problems. This is one of the trails closed to bikes. The water on the trail was running down the wheel tracks, so I rerouted it off the trail. About 8 miles round trip and close to 2,000' gain, as there are a few uphill sections on the way back down.

Didn't see any other hikers on the trail the whole time of my hike. So, if you like to hike a trail with no crowds, check this one out and leave the crowd at West Tiger 3. George

Taking advantage of the glorious Saturday weather, I enjoyed a fine ramble on Tiger. Most snow is gone below 2000', but some heavy drifts may linger on the north slopes of the highest summits. Here are the trail conditions on this long loop around West Tiger Mountain:

Tiger Mountain Trail, Tradition Lake to K3:

Mostly in good shape, lots of new tread work visible, especially beyond the Cable Line crossing. The switchbacks are in much better shape now. There is still some narrow slumped trail beyond the twin bridges (approaching the K3 junction). Note the pretty waterfall below the second bridge - it might be nice to build a short spur down to the creek and create a viewing spot with a bench.

K3 Trail:

Officially unmaintained, steep, but otherwise in good condition up to the West Tiger RR grade.

W Tiger RR Grade, K3 to east end at Preston Trail:

Fair shape, tread a little overgrown and slumped. The crossing of the slide area could use work (but maybe it is good to wait for the slope to stabilize before doing any major work). Slide area to High Point tr junction (fred's corner) has a few blowdowns. Beyond Fred's Corner the trail is in good shape, having been recently reworked.

Preston Trail and North RR Grade:

At the end of the W Tiger RR Grade,, I descended the Preston Trail about a quarter mile then at a sign indicating "Preston Trail" turned right onto the unofficial N Tiger RR Grade Trail. Following yet another old RR grade, this route has a number of fallen trees and is hard to follow in a few spots where it crosses marshy areas. Still this route is a useful connector between the Preston Trail and Bootleg trails. Perhaps it could be made a bit more official some day.

Bootleg Trail, N Tiger RR Grade to Paw Print Connector at Fifteen Mile Pass

Cleared of blowdown, a bit muddy and snowy in a few spots. The Preston Poacher is still riding his mountain bike down the trail, judging by the tracks. Probably the same guy who has built an unauthorized trail that connects with the lower Bootleg trail at about the 1300' level so he can get down to Preston faster. I wonder who is giving him rides to Tiger Summit for his poaching expeditions?

Paw Print Connector:

In good shape, the last remnants of snow are melting away. Toilet at Paw Print Rest Stop looks good inside, but there is no toilet paper.

Tiger Mountain Trail from Paw Print to One View;

One of my favorite Tiger trails, remote, with a nice wilderness feel. Uncrowded even on a sunny Saturday. Much of the trail has been recently improved by the Issaquah Alps Club and is in great shape, although there is one annoying new blowdown part way along.

One View Trail:

Unusually muddy, especially on the trail's poorly-built east end. Usage seems to be increasing of late. This trail could use some trail crew love, and even a reroute that would contour around the 2267' high point.

Poo Poo Point Trail:

One of the more popular Tiger Trails, pretty busy on Saturday. In good shape and free of blowdown, at least to the big Many Creeks Valley bridge. The section above Many Creeks Valley is steep and muddy, and could use some rebuilding/ rerouting to a lower gradient. I love the grove of big, old growth trees part way up.

Mid-January storms have taken a deep toll on the Tiger Mountain back country, specifically on the TMT around Hal's Cove. Here is a run-down of the trail conditions from my loop today:

-Highschool trail: fine
-PooPoo Point trail: fine, only traces of snow on top
-One View Trail: fine
-TMT (SE) to the new bridge: clearing and limbing done
-TMT (SE) to the 15 mile RR: has not been cleared, some limbs, trees down, one big rootball hole
-TMT(S) to Middle: this section has had very little travel. Many limbs and brush down, some large conifers down. Big blowdown and upended tread at Hal's Cove. Prepare for slow going.
-Middle Tiger: some smaller evergreen tops & boughs to walk over. Road down to gate has some small brush, and ~10" of crunchy snow.
-Paw Prints rest stop to bootleg trail: still some snow and small trees down. hand saw would be great.
-Bootleg trail: not much blown down but snow & mud sloppy mix.
-Hiker's Hut to West Tiger #2: some snow left on top only, road clear of blowdown.
-TMT down from #2: Took K-3 cutoff since bridge is still out. all fine. Even better where I ran into the WTA Trail crew working on the switchbacks (THANK YOU!)
-bus trail: fine

otherwise beautiful day for a run. take your gloves and your patience.