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Pretzel Tree Trail

This short, easy, year-round trail meanders under the cool, protective trees of Squak Mountain State Park. It is a treat for kids because of the story boards and adults who may like to wander in the woods before or after their hike up Double Peak Loop Trail. Story boards along the trail illustrate the adventures of Field Mouse as he meets local forest creatures and discovers their importance in the ecosystem on his search for the Pretzel Tree. Birds and various kinds of natural habitat abound.

Restrooms and trail maps are on the right side of the parking lot as you enter from the street. The trailhead is on the left side of the parking lot. The first 30 feet of the trail is shared with the beginning of Double Peak Loop Trail, which is also used by local horsemen. After this section, cross the gravel road and go through the wooden horse barriers to Pretzel Tree Trail. Follow the trail to the right with the first story board. The boards are usually not within sight of each other, but become into view after a few steps from the last board. First meet Field Mouse who decides to adventure from the sunny meadow to the dark woods. Then meet the various animals in the woods as they explain their jobs in the woods: The crow picks up garbage, termites and bugs transform a tree into a nurse log etc. Birds abound in this low-lying area that walks past a semi-open marsh. If you're lucky, woodpeckers or flickers may be out knocking on the trees. A tree with their evidence is part of the interpretive trail.
Driving Directions:

Eastbound on I-90. Take Exit 15 (17th Ave NW / WA 900). Turn right (South). After going through town, road is renamed Renton-Issaquah Road SE. At 4 miles from Interstate, turn left on SE May Valley Road. Drive 2.5 miles to the large entrance sign for Squak Mountain State Park on your left.

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Recent Trip Reports

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There are 5 trip reports for this hike.
Pretzel Tree Trail — Aug 24, 2012 — Outback
Day hike
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Watch out for poop! Stopped quickly at this trail with my two young children while we were out runni...
Watch out for poop! Stopped quickly at this trail with my two young children while we were out running errands today. The trail should be flip-flop appropriate, but trail-users have been negligent in picking up after pets (horses and dogs) in the stretch of trail closest to the parking lot. Yuck! My seven-year-old enjoyed reading the storyboards to his younger sister, and both kids enjoyed spotting the pretzel tree. At the end of the loop- more poop!- this time from a wild animal who had been feeding mostly on grasses and berries. Bear scat, possibly?
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Pretzel Tree Trail — Jun 02, 2012 — Kimberlya271
Day hike
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Perfect outing for young kids. The trail was easy, the storyboards interesting and the moss-draped t...
Perfect outing for young kids. The trail was easy, the storyboards interesting and the moss-draped trees lovely and sparking imaginations. Wonderful experience for us all.
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Pretzel Tree Trail — Jun 17, 2011 — Ranger Mike
Day hike
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Probably about a quarter mile, +0/-0 ft, Pretzel Tree Interpretive Trail Trailhead and Endpoint 4...
Probably about a quarter mile, +0/-0 ft, Pretzel Tree Interpretive Trail

Trailhead and Endpoint 47.48192, -122.05426, 340 feet, May Valley Trailhead

This is a nice short trail suitable for kidlets, especially those who like to show off their new-found ability to read. The storyboards are more meaningful if the trail is walked to the right (anticlockwise). This is the story of a field mouse who is searching for the Pretzel Tree (found about halfway along the trail) and the things he learns in the forest.
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Pretzel Tree Trail — Jun 03, 2011 — 8Bex8
Day hike
Features: Wildflowers blooming
Issues: Mudholes
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It was a beautiful sunny day, there were still a few pockets of muddy ground, but small enough to st...
It was a beautiful sunny day, there were still a few pockets of muddy ground, but small enough to step over...there were also some patches of horse manure before you get to the actual trail.
my 6 yr old LOVED the signs on the trail, running ahead to each one, I highly recommend this hike for kids. we did have a slight problem finding the Pretzel Tree, until we walked the trail backwards. :) one of the highlights was the small stream running under the trail at one point.
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Pretzel Tree Trail — May 09, 2010 — Susan Elderkin
Day hike
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The Pretzel Tree trail is a perfect warm-up hike for families with small children. It's close to Sea...
The Pretzel Tree trail is a perfect warm-up hike for families with small children. It's close to Seattle and so short (one-third of a mile) that you can take your time and still be home for your toddler's nap.

When you go on such a short hike, there are no adult expectations for reaching a destination or having a certain kind of experience. The kids can go as slowly as they like, allowing families to have a real discussion about what they are seeing along the trail. And the kids can have the satisfaction of hiking the whole trail without getting exhausted. It's a win-win!

My 4.5 year old enjoyed the storyboards and both kids took plenty of time to explore the lush array of plants and the slug, while enjoying all of the birdsong. We finished up with a picnic at the trailhead. It really was a wonderful Mother's Day hike.
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pretzel tree_web.jpg
The Pretzel Tree. Photo by Jon Stier.
Location
Double Peak Loop (#), Pretzel Tree Trail (#)
Issaquah Alps -- Squak Mountain
Squak Mountain State Park (360) 902-8844
Statistics
Roundtrip 0.3 miles
Elevation Gain 1 ft
Highest Point 350 ft
Features
Wildlife
User info
Good for kids
Dogs allowed on leash
Discover Pass required
Guidebooks & Maps
60 Hikes within 60 miles of Seattle (as part of entry for Squak Mountain / Double Peak Loop Entry)
Green Trails: Cougar Mountain / Squak Mountain 2035
USGS Bellevue South, Maple Valley

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Red MarkerPretzel Tree Trail
47.4807555554 -122.055401802
  • State Park
(47.4808, -122.0554) Open in new window
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