Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Poo Poo Point
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. Hike up the old railway turned trail about 0.25 mile before veering right onto the service road known as the Old State Road. Walk around the gate on this road and continue about 1 mile. Just after crossing an old clear-cut, climb under some high-tension powerlines and continue up the rocky slope. Stay right at the next trail junction (to the left is the Section Line Trail) to hop onto the Poo Poo Point Trail. Limited views southwest reveal Squak Mountain. Like so many Issaquah Alps trails, the Poo Poo Point Trail was born from an old road. The path is still wide enough for two hikers to trek side-by-side much of the time. More often, however, thick wildflowers and bushes (some laden with delicious salmonberries) line the route and crowd it down to a single-track trail. At about 2 miles you'll cross a broad plateau (elev. 1150 ft) before starting up into Many Creeks Valley. Some of the creeks giving the valley its name are seasonal, running only in spring, while others--notably Gap Creek--runs year round. The well-built Gap Creek Bridge is at 2.5 miles, from which you can view the creek's stairstep falls and the remains of an old road bridge. Past the creek, the trail continues to weave upward through the forest. You'll find some wonderful ancient trees, and plenty of reminders of the region's logging history (hint: look for old stumps with springboard notches). At 3.2 miles, stay right at the intersection with the West Tiger Railroad Grade. In just another 0.5 mile, you'll come out into a small parking area, complete with high-tech composting toilet. Follow the trail around to the right side of the parking area to burst out into the bright sunshine on the grass bench that is Poo Poo Point. Hang gliders and paragliders launch off this grassy swale most afternoons spring through early autumn. Nonpilots can rest on the grassy hillside above the launch area, enjoying views of Issaquah Valley, Lake Sammamish, and the Bellevue skyline beyond. On clear days, Mount Baker can even be seen in the distance.
Driving Directions:
From I-90 take exit 17 (Front Street) and turn right (south). After 0.6 mile turn left (east) onto East Sunset Way, and in two blocks turn right onto 2nd Avenue SE. In about 0.5 mile park near the high school. The trail begins just south of the school on the switchback of the old railroad grade. Recent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Water on trail
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We went up the Chirico Trail off of Issaquah-Hobart Road for a short hike before this afternoon's Super Bowl festivities....
We went up the Chirico Trail off of Issaquah-Hobart Road for a short hike before this afternoon's Super Bowl festivities. The trail is in great shape the whole way up to the top considering the recent storms that have come through. There is ample evidence of a several blowdowns all the way up the trail but they have all been cleared now. There is also a fair amount of mud and water on the trail about halfway to the top, but nothing that a good pair of boots can't get through. Depending on your fitness level, this trail is moderate to steep so even though it's only around 2 miles to the top you might find yourself breathing hard shortly after starting out from the trailhead.
It was a great day for hiking with sun and temps in the mid 50's and we saw a lot of other people out hiking today. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the rare winter sunshine! Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Snow on trail
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Mid-January storms have taken a deep toll on the Tiger Mountain back country, specifically on the TMT around Hal's Cove....
Mid-January storms have taken a deep toll on the Tiger Mountain back country, specifically on the TMT around Hal's Cove. Here is a run-down of the trail conditions from my loop today:
-Highschool trail: fine -PooPoo Point trail: fine, only traces of snow on top -One View Trail: fine -TMT (SE) to the new bridge: clearing and limbing done -TMT (SE) to the 15 mile RR: has not been cleared, some limbs, trees down, one big rootball hole -TMT(S) to Middle: this section has had very little travel. Many limbs and brush down, some large conifers down. Big blowdown and upended tread at Hal's Cove. Prepare for slow going. -Middle Tiger: some smaller evergreen tops & boughs to walk over. Road down to gate has some small brush, and ~10" of crunchy snow. -Paw Prints rest stop to bootleg trail: still some snow and small trees down. hand saw would be great. -Bootleg trail: not much blown down but snow & mud sloppy mix. -Hiker's Hut to West Tiger #2: some snow left on top only, road clear of blowdown. -TMT down from #2: Took K-3 cutoff since bridge is still out. all fine. Even better where I ran into the WTA Trail crew working on the switchbacks (THANK YOU!) -bus trail: fine otherwise beautiful day for a run. take your gloves and your patience. Day hike
Issues:
Mud/Rockslide | Washouts | Water on trail
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Chirico trail, which is accessed off of Issaquah-Hobart Road and ends at Poo Poo Point, is in great condition considering...
Chirico trail, which is accessed off of Issaquah-Hobart Road and ends at Poo Poo Point, is in great condition considering the number of blowdowns on the trail since the recent severe storms in mid-January. See the photo below of one of the blowdowns from January 23 and another photo of the same location taken today showing the trail has been cleared. In fact, all blowdowns have been cleared.
Today, the hike was quiet as there were only a handful of hikers on the trail and two paragliders at the top. With excess moisture on the mountain, the sounds of Bailey Falls could easily be heard and the falls could be seen through the trees on the hillside along the trail. Typically, the falls are just a trickle so this was a pleasant surprise. Further up the trail, the recent storms had certainly left their mark on the trail - change was evident - downed trees, the trail cushioned with evergreen pieces, areas of mud and rock, and mini streams crossing the trail and overtaking the trail in areas. All areas easily negotiable but a reminder of the affect of mother nature. On my return, once again I ran into the nice man who continues to work on repairing the trail. We chatted briefly and he advised me that the DNR worked clearing the trail Tuesday along with other volunteers. Today, he was also doing his own assessment and was prepared with a chainsaw and tools in hand to continue his work. Another big thank you to those putting in the time and effort to work the trail for all to enjoy. Day hike
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Hike to Cedar Butte was not enough to shed all the Holiday pounds Russ claimed to have put on so...
Hike to Cedar Butte was not enough to shed all the Holiday pounds Russ claimed to have put on so a second hike to Poo Poo Point via Chirico trail was in order. Nice hike up, trail is in good shape & is a bit more of a workout than Cedar Butte. Trail switchbacks up mountain; later there are several spurs near south launch point (clearing) for paragliders. Nobody there, but nice view of Mt Rainier. Reached the summit which is also the northern (and main) launch point for the paragliders. Third time up here but first time I saw some paragliders take off. First saw a solo guy and then a tandem male/female. Pretty cool. Also nice views of Mt Baker, Olympics, Lake Sammamish (& other lakes) Seattle, Bellevue, etc. Lady hiker who arrived at summit just after us told me that on a previous hike here a paraglider offered to take her on a tandem flight for $50 & she accepted. Said it was her first (and only, so far) time and was quite a thrill. Orange skies to west of what looked like an early sunset at 2:45 PM. Decided to head down after waiting for final 2 paragliders for awhile. Wind conditions not favorable. When we arrived back at the parking lot 2 more paragliders were landing. Fun hike. Russ informed me that he feels like he worked off the extra Holiday pounds.
Poo Poo Point
— Dec 30, 2011
— JakeC
Day hike
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The trail is in great shape ... I took the more direct path called Chirico trail. That trail starts...
The trail is in great shape ... I took the more direct path called Chirico trail. That trail starts at the Paraglider's landing spot / parking lot. It is only 2 miles up but a bit steeper than the longer trail that starts behind the high school.
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2010
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