Just wanted to report a first trillium sighting for the year !!! SPRING IS HERE !!!!

The arctic air mass invading the Puget Sound area has dropped a nice coat of snow on Tiger Mountain--not the usual slushy stuff, but fluffy, Utah-style powder. The snow is really pretty to look at and fun to walk around in, at least where tromping feet haven't packed it down into ice. Given the weather forecasts, the snow should last awhile. Here's a rundown of trail conditions: High Point Creek Trail: In good condition, a little mud and ice here and there. Tiger Mountain Trail, from High Point Creek to Tom's Crossing: In good condition, increasingly snowy as you climb. There's about 4 inches of snow at 2000'. Section on railroad grade is slumped in spots, needs tread work. Trail between W Tiger II and III: snowy, steep, eroded. Needs extensive drainage work or rerouting. W Tiger III Trail from summit to Tradition Lake trailhead: Packed snow and ice on trail, slippery, bring traction devices for your boots.

Here are some more brief reports on various Tiger Mountain trails: Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT) from Tradition Lake trailhead to K-3 Trail: In good shape. Recent retread work has been done. K-3 Trail: In good shape. Sign missing at the junction with the TMT. Could use some drain dips. West Tiger Railroad Grade from K-3 to TMT: In fair condition. A bit brushy from encroaching ferns, sections of slumped tread. TMT from railroad grade to Toms Crossing: In good shape, needs drain dips installed near Tom's Crossing (the high point at 2500'). West Tiger 2 Trail from Tom's Crossing to summit: In good shape, needs drain dips. Trail between West Tiger 2 and West Tiger 3: Poor. Steep and badly eroded near Tiger 2, needs drainage work big-time. Steps and check-dams might help also. TMT from Manning's Reach to One View Trail: In good shape. Extensive retread work has been done in places. One View Trail: Good condition. East end of trail is a bit narrow, rooty, and steep in places. Poo Poo Point Trail: Good condition. Drain dips need clearing, especially on the steep grade above Many Creek Valley. A fallen log has damaged a switchback. Bus Trail: In good shape.

We started out at the trailhead about 11am. We were pleasantly surprised to find that parking was available at the upper trailhead lot. For such a gorgeous day there were very few hikers on the trail. At the top of Tiger Mt. there was a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier. Lots of bugs and flies on the way to the top. Thankfully there were fewer bugs at the top which made lunch time much more enjoyable.

I hiked a 10-11 mile loop from Tiger Mount Summit on Highway 18, using Main Tiger Mountain Road to Paw Print Rest Stop, Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT), and the West Side Road. On a sunny day, the views from the main road are nice, especially between the 1.5-2 mile points, and near the 4 mile point. This portion of TMT cuts through thick second growth, with few highlights. I liked the old-growth stumps as much as the emerging salmonberry and skunk cabbage blossoms. Trail is well maintained. I was disappointed that someone rode their horse on TMT, postholing on the downhill side of the trail on steep sections. I was also disappointed by a bicyclist who claimed ignorance about the hiking-only status of this trail, but enjoyed seeing him have to heave his bike over the maze barrier separating the trail and West Side Road.