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Tradition Lake Loop — Apr. 26, 2014

Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain
3 photos
 
Good and easy hike even with baby in backpack. Trail is in good condition, a lot of small creeks and so much green color around. Great place to escape.
4 photos
ejain
WTA Member
Outstanding Trip Reporter
900
  • Wildflowers blooming
 

Pulled into the High Point parking lot at noon. Lots of cars parked along the road, but plenty of spots in the parking lot. Did a loop: Poo Poo Point Trail, West Tiger Railroad Grade, Cable Line Trail. Got back early, so there was time for a small loop around Tradition Lake and Round Lake. The trails were in good condition, just a bit muddy in places. Some crowds on parts of the trail, few to none elsewhere. Trillium, Bleedingheart and Salmonberry were blooming.

4 photos
  • Wildflowers blooming
 
It was so sunny I was determined to find some signs of spring at Tiger Mountain. When I arrived at 9am there were still parking spaces in the upper lot, but when I left at noon cars were parked well down the road. So plan to arrive early to get a parking space near the trail head. The trails were dry and in good condition. There is a small tree down on the Big Tree Trail. Flowers and ferns were starting to unfurl and I got my glimpse of spring emerging in the forest.
3 photos
Beware of: trail conditions
  • Wildflowers blooming
 
Began the day around 11am. It wasn't busy as yet but we parked and outside the gate instead of driving through the deep potholes to the main parking lot. The weather went from foggy to partly cloudy to partly sunny. We hiked on the Puget Power Trail passing Round Lake and continuing to the Bus Trail. All trails were in good condition and we ran into just enough people and PUPs to make it pleasant. Continuing our walk through Issaquah High School and reconnected to the Rainier Trail. Soon after we scaled a steep trail straight up the mountain getting a great view of I-90 and Lake Washington. It was a great day to hike!
4 photos
George & Sally
WTA Member
400
Beware of: snow conditions
 
I had not hiked on the north side of Tiger Mtn. in over a year. Started this loop trip from the High Point Trailhead. Hiked the connector trail east to the parking area for the Cable Line Trail. Went up the trail that switchbacks up to the PSE power line, then the trail goes straight up the steep hill side. When I got to the Tiger Mtn. Trail, I headed back down hill to the West Tiger No. 3 Trail. Then went up hill to the junction with the Talus Rock Trail. Hiked this trail over to Talus Caves. Along the way there was some snow on the trail and the tall water fall at the unnamed creek that was flowing at a good rate. From the caves I hiked down the Nook Trail. About half way down the Nook Trail, I stopped for lunch at the wooden bench that over looks the creek from the waterfall. A few other hikers were heading up as I ate. After lunch I hiked down to the Bus Trail and went west. At the trail junction by the old bus body, I took the trail around the west side of Tradition Lake. At the lake view spot I could see a few ducks swimming. From there I took the power line trail over to the Swamp Trail and hiked it back to the parking lot to complete the loop. Didn't see to many hikers, except on the West Tiger No. 3 Trail, where there were many people heading up or down the trail. On the other trails I saw very few other hikers. So if you get off of the main trail to West Tiger No. 3, you'll have a better time with no crowds. When I got back to the parking lot, it began to rain. Other hikers were just starting their hikes, some wearing cotton sweatpants. No to waterproof for a winter hike.