Grand Ridge Park from Issaquah-High Point trail (Coal Mine Trailhead)
May 03, 2008
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Grand Ridge Park
- Region: Issaquah Alps
- Agency: King County Parks
- Trails: Grand Ridge (#TIGER)
- Avg Rating: 3.33
- Be Aware Of
- Bridge out
- Mudholes
I started at the intersection of East Lake Sammamish Parkway and I-90. I followed the Issaquah to HighPoint trail, which is paved only for a short section until it crosses under Highlands drive. Then it continues on as an old dirt road, very gradually climbing along the freeway corridor. At about 2 miles is the Coal Mine Trailhead and entrance to Grand Ridge Park. There’s probably nicer ways to access the park than along the freeway, but I wanted to experience the trail end to end. And today it was just a nice reminder of the wonderful trail access we have only minutes from the amenities of town. The trail switchbacks up, then climbs more gradually as it nears the top of the ridge. There is one deep stream crossing that is a bit dangerous if the small logs are wet and may be a deterrent for the average mountain biker. Indeed, I had the trail to myself today, a nice change from the crowds of Cougar or Tiger mountains. I noticed the WTA has been doing work on this trail along the ridge. And even though I recognized the wide and trip-hazard free trail, I was most thankful for their work on the drainage because there is no standing water or shoe-sucking mud in these sections. After a mile or so of flat cruising at around 1000’, the trail starts to descend and winds into a thicker forest of large maples and red cedars. When I got down around 400’, there were a couple really muddy sections, the last which required a 50 yard or so wade through ankle-deep muck. You may want to just turn around here, for the trail only goes another quarter of a mile further and comes to an end. From there, it is roughed in the last few yards to the Issaquah-Fall City road. I had reached the end, roughly 7.5 miles. Only there is no mountain top, panoramic view or sparkling mountain lake. My reward was the morning solitude, and the candy bar in my pocket which I enjoyed before I turned around and headed back.
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
Forgot your
New user?
