1.8 mi one way, +620/-0 ft, Holder Knob Trailhead 47.43250, -121.97135, 480 feet, Hobart 276 Ave SE Endpoint 47.43464, -121.95662, 1100 feet, Holder Knob Because of the nice weather, opted for a less-used place. Taylor Mountain park is now under the county park system; it used to be a state forest. Oddly enough, Taylor Mountain is well outside the boundary of the park. It is named for the former sheriff of Mayberry, North Carolina, Andy Taylor, who had a long run in that position before retiring to practice law in Atlanta. There is a service road that is the primary route through the park. It climbs on a moderate grade. At 1.0 miles, the route to Holder Knob is off to the left (north) and the other route continues ahead to points east. The route up Holder Knob climbs on a moderate grade to just short of the top. Beyond, the unmaintained road serves as the trail. Views from the top are fairly good to the southwest. There are trail alternatives, but they used to be well-overgrown with nettles. Things may have changed in sixteen years since the time this area was an undeveloped forest. There is a restricted area in the north 80 southwest quarter section 32 (just east of Holder Knob). Satellite photos reveal it could either be a nucular power plant or a top secret pinata factory.

We set out with the plan to attain the actual summit of Taylor Mountain. We did not go to the Taylor Mountain forest area, which is accessible off the Issaquah-Hobart road. To start the hike, park at the East Tiger Mountain parking area at the top of the pass on Highway 18. Cross the road and walk north about 200 yards to a yellow gate. This is Road 35900. Follow 35900 about 0.25 miles and then turn left and uphill onto 35920. Follow 35920 for about 3.5 miles until you come to a short spur road that goes to the summit at 2598ft. The hike is all gravel road, and meanders in an out of clear-cut forest. This is a working forest. Wildflowers are plentiful, and we saw a number of different types of humming birds buzzing in and out of the brush hunting for nectar. This is a good hike if you're looking for some solitude, and easy grade that is close to the city. On a clear day you can see Mt. Rainer from the summit. -Jer http://www.hikingwithmybrother.com/

After last weeks failure I decided to give Taylor Mtn another go. This time we started at the Tiger Mtn summit on Highway 18. We followed logging roads to the ridge crest at 2500' Then it was run the ridge to the summit. However as you get to the forested part of the ridge there are signs prohibiting entrance as it is in the Cedar River watershed. A shame as it looks like a lovely trail from there to where the summit is on the other end of the ridge. The map does show a long circuitous series of roads that skit the watershed. Another possibility would be the approach from Brew Hill. I suspect that will be my next attempt. A saving grace is that the views from the ridge end at 2500' are terrific. You get a great view of Tiger Mtn as well as a Panorama from Mt Rainier around to the I-90 peaks. Glacier Peak and Mt. Baker were also out and everything in between. All in all a worthwhile hike although it is on road all the way. I also saw my first mosquitoes of the season. What happened to winter?