And to think we were going to go for a walk today. Not on such a gorgeous sunny day! This hike had it all: 10.75 miles, bikers, horse droppings, challenging stream crossings, bridges, a Glen, Crossings,  a Cove, a Bulge, a Hollow, and a Reach.

Parked in one of the 6 spots, most of which straddle the ditch on the side of the road. There were 2 other cars there and one pulled in after us.

Walked 1.1 miles up West Side Road to the turnoff to Hobart-Middle Tiger RR. Trail is in good condition with a few muddy spots as expected, the worst just before the spur to TMT. I would recommend Gore-tex and gaiters or one might be inclined to wear those silly pants. The 15 Mile Creek crossing was immobilizing for one in my party, but it eventually happen. It's running fairly quick and you would get your shoes submerged for sure if you steppedl in. Good uphill burner from there to 15 Mile RR. We went left on TMT at the junction and through Wally's Glen and over Hopping Bridge then down Hidden Forest at Larry's Crossing. This is steep! 2200 to 1800 in 0.2 miles. That's 2000 ft/mile grade. Despite the grade, it wasn't slippery at all as was the case for most of the trip save for the leaf covered bridges, some of which I cleared. Headed back up 15 Mile RR to TMT and went right this time and over the unsigned Custer's Bridge (a MUCH easier crossing of 15 Mile Creek than down below) past Hal's Cove, Denny's Bulge, Joe's Hollow, and Phil's Reach. At Millan's Crossing, down the steep and rocky Middle Tiger Trail, the lower end of which is narrow from stems which will whip your legs and grab your poles (another argument for pants.) After a mile of that, we got back onto West Side Road to complete our figure 8.

Maybe saw 4 hikers and 2 runners the whole trip. Sun was getting low and it was only 3:15! Great adventure today!

Began my hike by taking the West Side Road using the connector road off Tiger Mtn. Road SE. Parked at a friend's house since your can not park by the DNR gate as it has no parking and tow away signs. It is a short walk up the connector road to get to the West Side Road. Then it was up hill on the road to the Middle Tiger Trail trailhead next to a DNR concrete bridge over a branch of Fifteen Mile Creek. The trail heads up steeply for about 0.1 miles to the first junction. Right goes up the Middle Tiger Trail to the TMT and Middle Tiger Mtn., while left in on the Hobart-Middle Tiger RR Grade Trail. There was once a big railroad trestle across the same creek as the DNR bridge. I went left and hiked along the old logging railroad grade used by Wood & Iverson when there lumber company logged the south part of Tiger Mtn. from 1910 to 1932. They had two 3-truck geared Climax steam locomotives to haul log trains down to their sawmill in Hobart. The trail goes up grade and has several shoofly trails at creek crossings where the former log/timber trestles are long gone. A couple have deep canyons to get down and up while crossing a creek. Further along I could see Fifteen Mile Creek down below. I came to a section of the trail where a 2 inch wire rope that was used in yarding the old growth trees is laying along the trail. I got to a part of the old grade that has slid out and a trail had been built to replace it. Then back to the railroad grade and I came to a muddy area. Just passed it was another trail junction. Right went up hill 1/4 miles on the connector trail to the TMT near Hal's Cove. There is a sign and a trail map here. I stayed left and followed the railroad grade out to where the it crosses Fifteen Mile Creek. Lots of water flowing. The log to cross the creek was icy, so I went over some fallen tree parts to get over the creek. This was the site of a big 1/4 mile long curved railroad trestle.

The trail then heads up steeply, first on a narrow ridge, then a wider one as it works its way up hill to meet the 15 Mile RR Grade Trail. It did not go on the old railroad grade up to 15 Mile RR grade that the W&I log trains used. At the trail junction was another trail map. I went left and down hill on the 15 Mile RR Grade Trail. It had the salmon berry bushes brushed out. I came to a steel truss foot bridge over a creek with a waterfall up stream and a steep gully. The DNR bridge has been there a few years as moss was growing on it. The bridge had to have been flown in by helicopter. I spotted a few artifacts along the trail, 3 track spikes and a tie plate. I went as far as the old railroad grade ended and the hiking trail continues out to the Hidden Forest Trail. On the way back I found a good spot for lunch where a fallen tree had been cut and there were some rounds, one for a seat and another for a table. After eating I headed back up the 15 Mile RR Grade Trail past the junction with the trail I had come up from Fifteen Mile Creek. It was 0.4 miles to the junction with the TMT. Along the way were a few creek crossings with small bridges and small waterfalls. 

When I got to the junction with the TMT I saw that the DNR had a sandwich board sign with info on the reroute of the TMT between the Middle Tiger Trail and the old Artifacts Trail (now the Iverson Connector Trail) do to logging. Part of the TMT has been turned into a logging road. Suppose to be done in 2021. I headed south on the TMT 0.7 miles to the junction with the connector trail back down to the Hobart-Middle Tiger RR Grade Trail. The TMT has a new steel girder bridge over Fifteen Mile Creek, aka Custer's Bridge. The first bridge was built back in 1985 and had become rotten. When I got to the junction, I headed down the steep trail. It has a few fallen trees to step over and one big one the climb over. Once down to the Hobart-Middle Tiger RR  Grade Trail, I hiked it out to the West Side Road and then back to where I had parked. Made for an 8.8 mile hike with a loop thrown in at the top.

Had these trails to myself today, as I saw no other hikers on this trip. Did see one woodpecker, wren and Douglas squirrel. Parts of the H-MTRRGT was covered in several inches of big maple leaves. Some places have the Sword Ferns over growing the trail. I did some trekking pole brushing. I did spot a mylar balloon hanging in a tree. I could not get to it since it was 50 feet up to haul it out. So check out some of these trails on the southern part of the Tiger Mtn. State Forest with no crowds. For some photos and info on the old Wood & Iverson logging railroad see the book, "Wood & Iverson, Loggers of Tiger Mountain", by Ken Schmelzer. Several photos of some of the big trestles. George 

DOT, power line, Preston Trail, Hikers Hut, 15mi RR Grade, Tiger Mountain Trail, Lone Rock, WT2/3 saddle, TMT, Lingering Loop, power line

Forecast was for drizzle starting after noon, with rain arriving around 2pm. Instead, it was dripping on the drive in, cloudy all morning, with light drizzle for a few minutes every hour. It started light rain around 1045.

Took a hiking buddy.

11.1mi 1100m ascent, max 210m/km.

Hit Fifteenmile/Hidden Forest and the TMT as part of a longer trail run, and wanted to provide a quick update for folks.

Fifteenmile and Hidden Forest are both quite overgrown and have several blowdowns; they're probably OK for hiking if you don't mind climbing over fallen trees, but weren't all that much fun for running.  Next time I will stick to One View and the TMT proper ;)

Also, we saw signage indicating a Tiger Mountain Trail closure between Middle Tiger Trail and West Side Road, reportedly starting in Spring 2020 and lasting until a reroute is completed in the Fall.  Haven't been able to find anything online to confirm this, but worth keeping an eye out.

Finally - sighted the legendary Stuke Sowle out for a cruise up K-3!  Check out his trip report here!

ROUTE

Decided to use the nice weather and go for a run out at Tiger Mountain. Starting at the Cable Line TH, I headed up the Cable Line trail until I hit the TMT. From there I followed the TMT to the junction with the K-3 trail and climbed up until I connected with the West Tiger RR Grade. Taking a right I made my way to the West Tiger 3 trail and followed that to the summit of Tiger 3. From Tiger 3 I made my way across the ridge to Tiger 2 then again across the ridge and up the road to the Hiker's Hut and later the top of Tiger 1. From the top of Tiger 1 I came down the Poo Top trail reconnecting with the TMT. Taking a left on the TMT I followed it until I hit the intersection with the Fifteen Mile RR Grade. Following the RR grade I made my way to the junction with the Hidden Forest trail which was followed down to the West Side Road. I followed the road up to Poo Poo Point an then took the Poo Poo Point trail down towards the High Point TH. From the PPP trail I connected with the Bus Trail and later the Around the lake trail which I followed until I hit the Power Line Trail. Taking a connector trail I found the Swamp Trail which brought me back to the High Point TH. 

16.25 miles, 4500 ft gain, 3:45 total time.

CONDITIONS

Cable Line: As expected the trail is steep but not too muddy, at least the lower section isn't. One small section that was a little overgrown but not bad.

TMT (1st Time): The TMT from the Cable Line trail is in over all good condition. There are a handful of trees down across the trail, maybe 4, a bit higher up but nothing difficult to get around.

K-3: The sign at the beginning of the trail says "unmaintained" and there is some truth to it. The trail is steep most of the way but there is only a couple trees down. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll hit the RR grade soon enough.

West Tiger RR Grade: Trail is in good condition aside from a few overgrown sections but nothing terrible. That is yet to come.

West Tiger 3: The trail is wide and mildly steep. Saw a handful of people also making their way to the top.

Tiger 3 - 2 - 1 Traverse: The trails that connects the peak is well used and therefore in good condition. Heading up to Tiger 2 there was a good amount of fog but it started to thin out a bit as I came off of Tiger 1. 

Poo Top Trail: The trail is fantastic. It is pretty and rugged and will give you a workout going up or down. The trail is steep and narrow but it follows a little ridge and is fun in both directions. The trail is a little overgrown right after you cross the road and a little muddy.

TMT (2nd Time): The TMT on the back side of Tiger is very different from the front side. There is a lot of leaves on the trail so watch your footing. The trail is also overgrown in spot. Additionally you will cross some bridges that were pretty slick.

Fifteen Mile RR Grade: This was by far one of the most over grown, forgotten trail I have been on in a long trail. 95% of the 1.5 miles to the Hidden Forest Trail junction is VERY overgrown with numerous trees across the trail. Many times it way more of "head in the general direction of less brush" the actually following a trail. All this said there is a really nice bridge about 0.75 miles from the junction that was immediately followed by narrow, overgrown, rooty trail. All that said, It was easy enough to follow and I highly recommend this trail.

Hidden Forest Trail: The first half of this trail heading down to the road was equally overgrown. This only last for a quarter mile or and the forest opens up a bit. 

West Side Road: If following the same route, this road will feel like heaven after what the last 3ish miles were like.

Poo Poo Point Trail: Trail is in good condition the whole way down. A little rocky in spots but not trees down that I can recall.

Remaining Trails: All were in good condition, nothing to note.