Incredible day for a hike! My goal was to hike some of the trails less travelled on West Tiger. So the Wonder Pup and I left the High Point Trailhead at 9:30, not to return for many a sunny hour.

My route was as follows:
TMT 2.6 mi,
N on Lingering Trail 0.2 mi,
E on Dwight's Way 0.6 mi,
SSE on W. Tiger #1 0.5 mi to junction with Lower Bootleg,
Continuing on W. Tiger #1 1.4 mi,
W on Upper Bootleg 0.4 mi,
SSW on Poo Top 0.9 mi,
W on Hidden Garden 0.1 mi,
N on TMT 2.2 mi
N on K-3 0.8 mi,
NW on TMT 1.9 mi

All the trails were in excellent shape, with only two items of note:

First, the eternally closed High Point Creek bridge is still, well, closed (sigh). But the creek is low enough where you can cross it with very little difficulty (I crossed downstream of the bridge).

And second, the West Tiger #1 Trail, south (uphill) from Preston Junction, is snow covered from about 2200 feet to the end. The Upper Bootleg Trail is also snow covered from that junction westward to the summit (and presumably before the junction as well). I definitely appreciated my Yaktrax and poles.

One note about the northern intersection of K-3 with the TMT. Both directions of the TMT angle generally to the west (left, as you descend the K-3). To actually head west, take the uphill fork. East is the lower fork. It's a bit counterintuitive, and I have to stop and think every time.

The first day in a while with no rain predicted, and with a bit of blue showing overhead. My hiking buddy Marin and I opted for a walk in the Tigers. We followed the High Point Trail, Dwight's Way, Preston Trail, Bootleg Trail, and Paw Print Connector to the rest stop at Fifteen Mile Pass, then returned by the same route.

The trails were moist, occasionally muddy and with a few blowdowns, but free of snow until we reached the Paw Print Connector, where snow coverage alternated between none, and three or four inches.

Every small stream was running (no problem crossings), and ferns and moss were everywhere. Some skunk cabbage was out. There were a few trilliums, drooping from the impact of recent rains, and more trilliums, still in the bud stage, on the way. Coltsfoot also was in the bud stage.

We sighted one woodpecker, perhaps a Lewis.

On our return, we detoured past the small tree that often displays a varying quantity and selection of ornaments, and it did sport a few bright colored hangings today.

We saw a few other hikers along the High Point Trail, but had the other trails all to ourselves. This was an enjoyable hike, about 7.5 miles round trip, with about 1,700 ft of elevation gain.

Today I hiked many of the less traveled trails that lead to the best views!

I started at the High Point Pond trailhead down that gated road right off the freeway ramp. Hiked the High Point Trail 0.7 miles then turned left onto Dwight's Way. Then went 0.6 miles and turned right on the West Tiger #1 Trail (might be marked as Preston Trail). This is where you really have the whole trail all to yourself! Then hiked another 0.6 miles to another trail junction. Went left on the Middle Bootleg Trail. Hiked another 0.9 miles, up into the snow, and turned left onto the East Tiger Trail.

After about 0.5 miles I came to a clearcut and a road. None of this is on the maps! This is a somewhat new area. The trail crosses the road and continues on the other side, leaving the ugly stuff and leading back into some nice forest. Still no other people! After another 0.5 miles or so come to the Preston Railroad Grade Trail. Once again, the trail crosses the road and keeps going up the hill. After another 0.5 miles level out and come to the road that leads to the summit of East Tiger, which is the highest summit in the forest at 3004 feet. Go up to the right on that road and go up to the summit.

There are a few big communications towers and there is also a picnic table. Mt. Rainier was hidden today, but this summit usually has the best view of Rainier. I still saw all of the south Puget Sound lowlands laid out below me.

Now I hiked all the way back down to the Bootleg Trail (where I originally turned onto the East Tiger Trail). I turned right as if heading back the way I came but quickly veered left onto the Upper Bootleg Trail toward West Tiger #1.

I went another 0.8 miles until I reached the junction with the West Tiger #1 Trail. I continued straight for another 0.6 miles the Hikers Hut viewpoint (do not try to go up to the summit. It is all fenced off). The viewpoint is the best spot. Mt. Rainier was still not visible but still had nice views of Puget Sound, Seattle, and also Bellevue. And look to the right of the actual summit and in the distance you will see East Tiger! Hard to believe I was just up there.

Now I continued down the road off of the mountain, toward West Tiger 2. Go 0.6 miles on the road down, then back up to the summit of West Tiger 2. Now go up and around the fenced off area at the top of the hill. Around back you will find the trail leading off the summit.

Hike down 0.2 miles to Tom's Crossing (juntion with the Tiger Mountain Trail). Turn right and hike another 0.3 miles or so to a flat area with a trail leading off to the left, marked as the K-3 Unmaintained Trail. It is actually in good shape. Hike about 0.3 miles down to the West Tiger RR Grade. Continue straight on the K-3 Trail down another 0.5 miles to the TMT and turn down to the right. You should pass a flyer posted on a tree that warns of a damaged bridge up ahead. Ignore that warning (read on and you will see why). In about 0.5 miles you will come to the bridge that is closed off. Notice how it is tilted and missing some of its railing. Just go under it! The creek is small enough to cross! Soon after come to a junction with the High Point Trail and turn left and hike that trail all the way back to the trailhead. 11.5 miles round trip.

A warm, sunny day in a normally cool month, with the breeze feeling more like Big Sur than the Northwest. A few minutes up the trail we paused to cool down and remove outer layers. We opted today to skip the Tiger summits and concentrate on a long forest walk, with a turn-around and lunch break at the Paw Print Rest Stop adjoining the utility access road. Our route took us via the High Point Trail, Dwight's Way, the Preston Trail, the Bootleg Trail, and the Paw Print Connector (These are the names on the current generation of trail signs. Your map likely shows some differences.)

The trails all were moist, but only occasionally muddy. Remaining deciduous leaves exhibited fall colors, while the many leaves already down created appealing rustling as we walked along, contrasting with the sounds of the frequent strong winds. We noted an occasional wildflower, mostly avens and spring beauties, as though winter weren't almost here.

The small streams were flowing, but easily crossed, and we encountered no significant blowdowns. A few tire marks showed that some bikers continue to use the Preston and Bootleg Trails, in spite of prohibitions. But once we left the High Point Trail, Blue Towel and I had today's route completely to ourselves.

On our return, near the intersection of the Paw Print Connector and Bootleg Trails, we detoured past the small fir that in the past has been decorated with a motley, ever-changing collection of holiday ornaments. Today, all traces of ornamentation were gone, leaving the tree in its natural, unadorned state.