Old GrizRecent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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Beautiful day for a trail run, lots of people out today. I started at the West Access entrance off of...
Beautiful day for a trail run, lots of people out today. I started at the West Access entrance off of HWY 900. There is plenty of blow-down in the first 3/4 mile, so for now it is really slow going. Big chainsaw stuff. That was the worst of the trails i saw today. There is still a little snow here & there, but dont expect much. Instead of retracing my route, here is the status (your mileage may vary!):
Cleared: Coal Mine Old Griz (except the top 100 yards) Perimeter loop Coming up from May Valley TH (you wouldnt even know there was a storm there) I didnt take C2 very far but I m guessing the rest is in also good shape Not Cleared: Phil's Creek between south summit trail and Griz intersections (many limbs) Chybinski loop (though someone was working on it with a chainsaw when i went through) EastSide Trail (south of Griz) South Summit (one large, difficult tree down, and many limbs)
Bullitt Fireplace, Central Peak, West Access, Old Griz
— Sep 20, 2010
— whitebark
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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Taking advantage of a break in the rain, I rambled several of the Squak Mountain trails starting from Mountainside Drive....
Taking advantage of a break in the rain, I rambled several of the Squak Mountain trails starting from Mountainside Drive. It was a quiet misty afternoon on Squak; no other hikers were seen. These trails have benefited greatly from the extensive work done last year, and are in fine condition. The recent rains have nearly saturated the soils, and creeks are beginning to flow on Squak. The mountains are now primed to produce some huge fall floods. The exemplary drainage work on the Squak trails should handle any runoff nicely, but now is the time to fix drainage problems on other trails (Poo Poo Point trail on Tiger comes to mind).
Issues with the Squak trails are minor. Sections of the Old Griz trail are narrow and slumped. A persistently gloppy part of the West Access trail above the Coal Mines trail junction could use some sort of treatment to cover the slick clay soil, such as pouring on gravel or building a turnpike. The West Access trail also has a head high log that needs cutting out. Day hike
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A dozen desperate Mountaineers met up on this cloudy -- but DRY! -- day to explore the east side of...
A dozen desperate Mountaineers met up on this cloudy -- but DRY! -- day to explore the east side of Squak Mountain State Park. Trail conditions are good. There's little standing water and no new blowdown, but beware the slick tread on stairs and bridges. We enjoyed each other's company and a quick lunch at Central Peak, then made a lollipop loop by taking Old Griz Trail back to East Ridge Trail. Our timing was impeccable -- it didn't start raining until the drive back to Seattle.
Day hike
Features:
Fall foliage
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During a break in the wet weather I thought about taking a short hike and was tempted to go to...
During a break in the wet weather I thought about taking a short hike and was tempted to go to Talapus Lake to get into the snow but looking at the mountains I thought this would not be a good plan so went to Squak for a low land hike.
The trails on Squak were covered with a carpet of Maple Leaves, pretty but also hiding slick stones which did not prove a problem on the hike down. At the summit I met Dick who knew the trails and area quite well. We both decided to hike the Old Griz trail down to the East Side trail and then back to the Mountainside Trail Head. The Old Griz trail is in much better shape than the last time I was on it 7 years ago. It has been slightly rerouted and is now an official trail with a wide tread and good grade. Squak is mainly a forest hike with limited views. The rain for me held off and I was able to hike in a sweater without rain gear. Work on the trails has reduced mud due to excellent drainage and other improvements. It was a pleasant 5 mile hike with some fall color.
Bullitt Fireplace #SQUAK-C2,Bullitt Bypass #SQUAK-PLT,Old Griz #SQUAK-C4,Phil's Creek #SQUAK-S3,Perimeter Loop Trail #SQUAK-PLT,West Peak #SQUAK-W3,May Valley Trail #SQUAK-PLT
— May 07, 2003
— Sparky Murphy
Day hike
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Narrative The May Valley Trail has undergone some reconstruction; rather than climbing straight up the ridge, there are gentle...
Narrative The May Valley Trail has undergone some reconstruction; rather than climbing straight up the ridge, there are gentle switchbacks between 950 and 1350 feet elevation, where the trail joins the old trail; thence the trail is brushy in spots. The Perimeter Loop Trail is brushy and has several logs across it. The West Peak Trail has a few brushy spots, but is otherwise in good condition. The West Peak Trail has been logged at its junction with the Bullitt Fireplace Trail making it easier to find. There is a side trail that breaks from the Bullitt Fireplace Trail just east of the Bullitt Fireplace and heads directly to Central Peak over a 80 foot rise. The Old Griz Trail has some brushy spots. There is low-lying brush including nettles along Phils Creek Trail. Weather Broken to overcast clouds. Moderate temperatures. Hazards and Obstructions Some logs across the Perimeter Loop Trail. Flora/Fauna Purple violets, salmonberry flowers, bleeding hearts, foamflower, trillium, Siberian miner's lettuce, cinquefoil and geranium. Robins and other birdlets seen. Camping Not permitted. |
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