Just did a quick 5 mile ramble on some Squak Mountain trails, starting from the Mountainside Drive trailhead. There was no snow anywhere on the mountain, and the condition of the trails was in general quite good, with a lot of recent tread work visible. Even the short path that leads from the Perimeter Trail to the south vista had been brushed (although there still is no sign marking the junction). I lingered quite a while at the vista, enjoying the bright sun and the view of Mt. Rainier.

A few trail issues that I noted: the top part of the Bullitt Gorge trail, from its upper end down to the Perimeter Trail junction, is overly steep in places and could use a reroute. There's a mucky creek crossing that needs improvement - a bridge would be nice.

The west portion of the Chybinski Loop, downhill from the blockhouse, could use some drainage work on the steeply graded portions. For some reason, the trail crews that have done so much great work elsewhere on Squak have avoided this area.

Doing the 7 mile loop hike around Squak Mountain is one of the nicest close-in hikes around. There are not many views, but the well-aged second growth forest, with trees 60 to 100 years old, is beautiful. Spring has finally arrived and lush greenery clothes the hillsides.

I started the loop hike at Mountainside Drive trailhead, then followed the wide, well-maintained Bullitt Fireplace trail onward and upward. After 1 mile, I veered left onto the East Side Trail, which takes a nearly level course along the side of a steep hillside overlooking Lake Sammamish, passing a succession of lovely ravines with trickling creeks. Someone has been working on this trail recently - several new turnpike structures have been built. About a mile of easy strolling brought me to the next junction, where I turned right onto Phil's Creek Trail and commenced a switchback climb of 300 feet to the Old Griz trail junction and site of an former sawmill, according to Footsore 1.

I continued the loop hike on Phils Creek, which gradually descends from the sawmill site on a narrow old roadbed to Thrush Gap, passing some impressive mossy cliffs along the way. Tucked between Squak's Central and East Peaks, Phils Creek is an exceptionally tranquil place. I always get a nice relaxed vibe here. The lower portion of Phil's Creek trail is a minor miracle: a horse trail that is pleasant for hikers, too. Extensive use of turnpikes and thick gravel "plating" of the trail has worked really well.

Eventually I reached the south access road. A quarter mile uphill hike on the road took me to the upper end of the May Valley Trail. Followed that to the start of the Bullitt Gorge Trail, which now sports a horse exclusion gate. Then it was a short, steep uphill slog on that old-school trail to the Perimeter Loop Trail.

I headed west on the Perimeter Loop trail, so-named because this was a portion of a once-planned loop trail around Squak dating from the Harvey Manning days (another more-or-less abandoned piece of the old Perimeter trail can be found connecting Thrush Gap and the East Side trail). The Perimeter Loop trail gradually climbs through lovely old second growth forest to a junction with the Chybinski Loop Trail.

I followed the CLT down and down to the West Access Trail, took that to the Coal Mine Trail (at the junction, be sure to follow the WAT a few feet to see the nice new handcrafted bridge over Chybinski Creek). Followed the CMT past the frog lady's ponds to the Bullitt Fireplace trail and back down to Mountainside Drive.

Maintenance needs: In general, Squak's trails are very well maintained, and there is little to report, mostly minor stuff. I spotted one failed drain dip on the Bullitt Fireplace Trail just beyond the Sierra Court trail. A few very minor blowdowns on the East Side Trail. The steeply climbing portion of Phil's Creek Trail near Old Griz has some narrow slumped tread. Bullitt Gorge Trail is overly steep in spots and could use some rerouting.

The west part of the Chybinsky Loop trail near the Blockhouse needs some attention. Mudholes near the summit. Drainage improvements are needed on the steeply graded portions. Water is running down the trail and eroding it in places. There's a section of trail in a deep trench in the hillside that need some extensive retread and drainage work. More mudholes where the trail approaches Chybinsky creek.

Decided to do my own loop on Squak Mountain today. I took the South Access Road from the Squak Mountain Trailhead off of SE May Valley Road. It climbs pretty steeply for about a half mile before you get to the Bullit Gorge Trail (sign says May Valley Loop, see Green Trails Map No. 203s), and from there it continues to climb (with some even spots scattered about).

From there I hit the Perimeter Loop Trail to see the view indicated on my map. This trail runs along the ridge under the West Peak. About half way through this trail there is a path which leads down to the view. Today was really clear, and the view of Rainier was spectacular (see pictures below).

Once you leave the Perimiter Loop you get on the West Peak Trail. This just scrambles right up to the top of the Peak. There is a structure which appears to have been burned, and there is caution tape lying about. It makes for a very eerie feel, especially since the area trees make it very dark on that peak. The trail down to Bullit Fireplace Trail juts out from the Southeast Corner of the structure, and you need to have good "trailspotting" eyes to find it, as it blends well with the area. Keep your eyes on the trail or you could lose it. The descent to Bullit Fireplace is really steep.

The Bullit Fireplace Trail is a nice break from the uphill downhill scramble of West Peak. Take it easy at the Fireplace, have lunch on the table (its about the halfway point of this loop, plus you will be pretty hungry by now). After that, follow the trail to the Central Peak Trail.

Central Peak trail is pretty straightforward, much like the West Peak trail, just scramble right up to the top. There you will find the most serene nature in the radio tower compound that takes up the majority of the peak (sarcasm). There is nothing really to do here, and to avoid having your brain fried, you should probably head down quickly (more sarcasm, but really there is nothing to do up there except catch your breath). From there you follow the south access road to the Summit Trail, which is on the left.

The Summit Trail is pretty crazy, and I'm glad I was going down it instead of up it. Once it hooks up with Phils Creek Trail, it is pretty easy going. Except for these damn bees that kept buzzing around my head making me paranoid. Unfortunately, you cannot finish the Phils Creek Trail, since its connection to the May Valley Loop is closed at this time due to "dangerous trail conditions," it is pretty hard to miss all the crime scene-esque caution tape. If I was not tired by this point, I would have done it anyway.

Since I could not finish the trail I wanted, I headed down the south access road, starting at this point about half mile up from where I hit the Bullit Gorge Trail. It is steep and mean on the knees.

I am out of shape and did this hike in about 3.5 hours. I totaled up the mileage and its about 7.5 miles round trip. Good hike for a sunny Friday afternoon!

Ran up from the High Valley Trail Head because my achilles is somewhat fried. The amazing thing was up on West Peak, just 30 yards east of the peak. I saw what looked like dark gray paint poured all over a stump. It was so out of place that I stopped for a better look. It was about half an inch thick or more, probably covered 6 or 8 square feet. Looking closely showed it was not liquid, but tiny particles. Looking closer still (and touching it) showed it to be alive! It was made up of absolutely millions of individual snow bugs. I have seen them darkening a patch of ground before, but nothing like this. As luck would have it - no camera. Anyone else see it?

Steve