On Saturday, I did a long 12 mile loop around West Tiger Mountain. The promised sunshine never showed up, but otherwise it was a fun hike. Even on a weekend, many of the more remote trails were remarkably uncrowded.

My route followed the Tiger Mountain Trail from the Tradition Lake trailhead to the K3 Trail. Took that up to the West Tiger RR Grade, which I followed all the way to the Preston Trail. Climbed the Preston Trail to the top, then followed the Bootleg Trail down to Paw Print Rest Stop. A short stint on the 15 Mile RR Grade Trail took me to the Tiger Mountain Trail, which I followed west for 3 miles to the One View Trail. This is one of my favorite Tiger trails. Hiked the One View down to the Poo Poo Point Trail, which I followed back to the Tradition Lake Plateau and home.

Trail Conditions:

TMT from trailhead to K3:

Good to fair condition, a number of blowdowns including one annoying one near the start. Beyond the Cable Line, there is a steep stretch with narrow collapsed tread that could use work. Also, some tread collapse on the steep slope between the second bridge and K3.

K3:

Good condition. A steep trail, a little rough at the start, but in otherwise in good condition. One of those officially "unmaintained" trails that nevertheless seems to be well-maintained.

W Tiger RR Grade from K3 to Preston Tr:

In good condition. Overgrown with ferns in places. Past the TMT junction, the trail gets a bit sketchy through the landslide. The portion of trail between Fred's corner and the Preston Trail was extensively reworked and is in very good shape.

Preston Trail to top of Bootleg Trail:

In good shape. I've tried to keep the drainage on this trail in top notch condition, which has kept the trail's tread in good shape. Just a trace of snow near the top. The oversteep top portion could use rerouting.

Bootleg Trail from top to Fifteen Mile Saddle:

In good condition. Funky, rooty, narrow tread initially...looks like Harvey Manning might have last worked on it. The final descent down to the saddle is steep. Poaching by mountain bikes is a problem. Looks like a logging operation is going to occur in this area, so the future of the trail is unknown.

Tiger Mountain Trail from Paw Print to One View:

Good condition. Actively being rebuilt by the Issaquah Alps club. Sections already worked are very nice. A beautiful trail on the sunny side of the mountain, a treat to hike on.

One View Trail:

Good condition. Upper section is a bit steep, muddy and funky. Beyond the nameless summit, the trail gets much better as it descends to the Poo Poo Pt. trail. One stretch, however, is a bit overgrown with brush. I'm still looking for the one view.

Poo Poo Point Trail (not to be confused with the Chirico trail):

Good condition. I was happy to see fresh drainage work! The portion of the trail that follows an old logging road is always trying to become a stream bed, so it is important to keep the drain dips maintained. The steep upper part could use some reroutes in a few spots to reduce the grade. Then there is that permanent mud hole...when is that ever going to be properly fixed?

 

It was the shortest day of the year, and appropriately chilly and gray on Tiger Mountain. Snow dusted the mountain down to 1000 feet. To celebrate the winter solstice, I did a long loop hike starting at the Tradition Lake trailhead, using parts of the Tiger Mountain Trail, K3, West Tiger RR Grade, Preston Trail, Poo Top, Hidden Forest, One View, and Poo Poo Point trails. There was little accumulation of snow even at the top of West Tiger I. In general, trail conditions were good and the hiking problem-free everywhere on Tiger.

Here are more details on the trail conditions that I found...

TMT from Tradition Lake to K3 junction.

Highlights: beautiful maturing 2nd growth forest, small waterfalls and creeks, steep canyons and fern-draped rocks at head of High Point Creek.

Condition: good, mud holes near beginning of trail, some sections of narrow slumped tread on the steep climb beyond Cable Line, a section of slumped tread past the big bridges.

K3 Trail:

Highlights: beautiful maturing 2nd growth forest.

Condition: good, though steep and narrow.

W Tiger RR Grade from K3 to Preston Tr:

Highlights: historic logging RR grade and campsite , the landslide, some limited views, cascading creeks.

Condition: good. path across landslide needs work.

Preston Trail to summit of W Tiger I:

Highlights: beautiful old 2nd growth forest.

Condition: good, a bit of snow on trail, drain dips need work. Oversteep stretch near Bootleg junction could use reroute with switchbacks.

Poo Top Trail:

Highlights: Silver firs, limited views, a fun hike along a ridge crest.

Condition: good, steep narrow tread in places, needs switchbacks added in a few spots. Bike tracks on trail.

Hidden Forest Trail from top to TMT:

Condition: good, steep, needs reroute with switchbacks.

One View Trail:

Highlights: beautiful maturing 2nd growth forest.

Condition: good, trail from the TMT to the top of the next hill is narrow, steep, and rooty, needs work.

Poo Poo Point Trail:

Highlights: beautiful forest with huge old growth trees (rare on Tiger) above Many Creeks Valley, The big creek and bridge.

Condition: good. Oversteep sections above Many Creeks Valley needs reroute with switchbacks. Drainage (dips and waterbars) on the lower portion of the trail urgently needs repair. One bad blowdown blocks trail.

Headed out early for a trail run on this 30th day without rain. I used the High School Trail to access Tiger Mtn. from downtown Issaquah. Right behind Issaquah High School the trail has been rerouted due to some contstruction. It goes around behind the baseball fields now. Easy to follow since there is a chain link fence on one side, and fresh bark tread.

I climbed Poo Poo Point trail, which is in great shape. All the mud is even dry now, but the foliage was damp from the low clouds. The salmon berries are starting to encroach on the trail in places. I saw a glacier lilly along the way.

From the summit intersection I took One View Trail across to the intersection with the Tiger Mountain Trail, which is always one of my favorites. The condition of the TMT varies, in sections it is very narrow and the edges are crumbling away, while in areas where work has recently been done (primarily the swutchbacks before the TMT #2 trail crossing) are in perfection condition. There were a couple buckets there, so I assume work is still going on. I particularly like the TMT for it's gradual ups and downs, and the fact that I never see another soul on it!

I opted not to summit #2 due to the low clouds but continued to follow the TMT around the north side, and past the RR grade crossing. I haven't been out this way for awhile, as I usually sneak down the K3 shortcut which connects back up with the TMT cutting off a mile or two. I was in for a surprise, as the TMT dropped off sharply into a big mudslide area, I assume a result of the floods earlier this season. I think this is High Point Creek. Pay attention so you don't miss the trail reroute like I did. I ended up hiking up around the slide area and it was sketchy! Back on the trail, we dropped down, past Fred's Corner and then the TMT turns back towards the creek. Where the trail crosses the wash out again, the bridge was closed. It has sustained some damage to the structure, but the entire thing has also been moved from its original location. The forces of nature always amaze me. I was too far in to turn around now, so worked my way across the creek carefully and continued on. I was already soaked from the wet brush so a little extra water didn't matter at this point. From there the TMT descent back to the Tradition Plateau was normal, and I even flushed a couple deer.

I opted for the Bus Trail to head back to town, and was surprised to see several hundred slugs on just this short section of moist gravel tread. I have never seen such a thing in my life...every few steps there were groupings of slugs...6, 10, sometimes more. I don't know what the special occasion was. I even saw a couple land snails the size of golf balls!

I was happy to get back to the car after this 11 mile adventure, where once again, I saw not a single person.