Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Phils Trail-Thrush Gap Loop
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. The trail leaves the parking area, heading west on the May Valley Trail and climbing quickly through mature second-growth forests of fir and hemlock. Cedars flourish in the boggy areas, where the trail rolls through on boardwalk sections. At 1.1 miles the trail forks. Turn left and then back to the right, being sure to stay on the primary trail as you continue climbing--there are several boot-beaten trails angling away (illegal shortcuts carved by lazy hikers). At 1.5 miles--shortly after crossing Bullitt Creek--the path tops 1300 feet and angles to the right along the creek gorge. The trail you want runs straight up the gorge, climbing at a rate of 1200 feet per mile. Fortunately, this pitch is only 0.25 mile long, getting you to 1600 feet about 1.8 miles into the hike. The May Valley Trail you've been hiking intersects the Perimeter Trail at this point. Continue along the May Valley Trail into an old logged section of forest--small trees sprout from between old stumps--and in another 0.25 mile (2 miles into the hike) turn right onto the Bullitt Fireplace Trail. At 2.2 miles you'll find the relics of the old Bullitt Lodge. All that remains of the once-grand structure is the old rock fireplace and a bit of foundation. You might stop here for a rest, or a light meal, making use of the nearby benches and picnic table. Continue along your path and in another 0.3 mile you'll top out on the radio-tower-laden summit of Central Peak. To close the loop, leave the summit via the Old Griz Trail. No signposts mark the path, so you'll have to work to find it--but not too hard. Just walk up to the viewpoint at the summit and then follow the roadway guardrails northeast. The trail drops away through the gap between the end of the guardrail and the start of the cyclone fence around the radio towers. Descend on this path, heading north, and you'll soon feel isolated in the dense forests of northern Squak. About 0.5 mile after leaving the summit, turn right onto Phils Trail. The route now winds along the steep upper slope of Central Peak. At 3.7 miles the trail crosses Thrush Gap and descends the Phils Creek gorge. At 4.4 miles continue straight through a trail junction, and in another 0.25 mile reach the short connector trail leading back to the trailhead.
Driving Directions:
From I-90 take exit 17 (Front Street), and turn right (south) onto Front Street and continue south through town. Front Street becomes Issaquah-Hobart Road as you leave town. In a couple of miles turn right (west) onto May Valley Road, and find the trailhead parking area on the right (north) side of the road at 221st Street. Recent Trip Reports
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Squak Mountain's East Side Loop, Phils Trail-Thrush Gap Loop
— Sep 12, 2011
— jkwayland
Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown
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A nice, forested hike. Good for a hot day. There are some very steep sections, but they are...
A nice, forested hike. Good for a hot day. There are some very steep sections, but they are short.
I made one large loop out of two hikes: Squak Mt's East Side Loop and Phils Trail-Thrush Gap Loop. I parked off of May Valley Road at the Squak Mtn State Park Trailhead (per the Phils Trail directions) and started there. On the way up (Bullitt Gorge Trail to Valley Connector Trail to Bullitt Fireplace Trail to Central Peak Trail), there was one downed tree, but it was easy to go under or bush-whack around. The trail was a bit dusty (Bullitt Gorge Trail is an equestrian trail). The signage was good, always pointing me to Central Peak. I ran into quite a few off-leash dogs dogs and a few on-leash (thank you for leashing your dogs!). After reaching the summit (no view), I headed down on Central Peak Trail to East Side Trail to East Ridge Trail to Phils Creek Trail. The Equestrian Loop Trail that I planned to use was closed, so I hit the South Access Road for a bit and then back the way I had come up on the Bullitt Gorge Trail. On this route, I only ran into one person (with a leashed dog). The East Ridge and Phils Connector trails were very narrow and overgrown. I got hit on the ankles and arms by stinging nettles. If I were to do this hike again, I wouldn't use these trails, but would just go up and down on the Bullitt Gorge Trail. Day hike
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We set out to climb Squak via Phil's Trail and the Thrush Gap Loop. We set off as the description...
We set out to climb Squak via Phil's Trail and the Thrush Gap Loop. We set off as the description indicates, along the May Valley Trail. It was rainy, and the rain did not relent. We were soaked, but the trail is in good condition and we were able to proceed without difficulty. Despite the rain, it was a beautiful trip in the forest. We did not adhere closely to the directions and ended up on the Perimeter Loop Trail. 1.3 miles from the peak, at the pictured signpost, we decided to turn back due to time constraints and the wet conditions. We returned the way we came. The rain did bring out many of the forest animals, however (pictured).
Day hike
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Decided to do my own loop on Squak Mountain today. I took the South Access Road from the Squak Mountain...
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! 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. |
Photo by Alpine Art.
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