Our family of four hiked the 1.5 mile Round-the-Lake trail at Tiger Mountain. As usual, the High Point parking lot was mobbed. Many people were out with their kids, and I thought we'd have lots of company at Tradition Lake, but it was refreshingly uncrowded. The kids (2 and 5 years old) were fascinated by the bugs, caterpillars and flowers they saw along the trail, and the barrier-free tread and lack of elevation gain made it easy going. Even though it was our constant companion, we'd only get a restricted view of Tradition Lake every so often - so as a "lake" hike, it failed to produce. One of several interpretive signs explained that this was deliberate, an effort to reduce the impact to wildlife in and around the lake. We took a counter-clockwise route, hugging the south side of the lake from High Point and returning along the Power Line Trail, which is really just a gated gravel road. I was surprised by how much my kids enjoyed this part of the journey. They joyfully jumped in every pothole, and I can just imagine how much fun they would have had if those potholes had been filled with water. Now I know where to go after the next storm!

Linda and I decided to hike the 'lowlands' off of High Point trailhead, including Bus Trail, Gas Line Trail, Adventure Trail, Big Tree Trail and Swamp Trail. The look, just over 3 miles with minor ups and downs was pleasant in the rain. We enjoyed both the forest and the open area on Pipeline Trail. Our walk was in slight drizzle which, in addition to the preceding 24 hour rains brought the moss alive and prompted mushrooms to pop up through the moist soil. The deciduous trees are well into shedding their brightly colored Autumn leaves which blanketed the trail adding to the woodsy environment. We were looking for a woods experience without all the effort and were rewarded handsomely! A great place for a nature diversion.

I did a long loop hike from the Tradition Lake trailhead to West Tiger I and back. While muggy springlike weather prevailed at the trailhead, winter stubbornly lingered atop the highest summits of Tiger Mountain. It will take some time to melt the heavy drifts of snow on the north side of West Tiger I. Here are some trail condition reports: Tiger Mountain Trail from start to K3 junction: Good condition. Some mud holes exist, especially near the Cable Line. junction. Slumped, narrow tread on the steep grade beyond the Cable Line junction could use some attention. Lower K3: Good condition. Muddy at bottom end. Steep narrow tread in places. West Tiger RR Grade from K3 to Preston Trail: Good condition. Slumped tread near the TMT junction could use work. The section from Freds Corner to the Preston Trail has been rebuilt and is in great shape. Preston Trail from 2200' to Bootleg Trail: Poor condition due to heavy snow above 2500'. Bypass Trail to Hikers Hut: Poor Condition, snowy and icy. There is an amazing amount of snow where the trail traverses a clearcut-- 3 feet deep? The ugly Hikers Hut could use an extreme decor makeover. Poo Top Trail: Fair condition, snow and a few downed trees near the top. Some sections of the trail are excessively steep. Hidden Forest Trail to TMT: Good condition, but excessively steep. One View Trail: Mostly good. East end around 15 Mile Gap is muddy, rooty and narrow. West end is in much better shape. Where is that one view? Poo Poo Point Trail: In good condition. A few steep sections above the big bridge could use rerouting to reduce the grade.

I'm not a cross-country skier or snowshoer and really need to get out and hike, so I went to REI and bought some 'stabilicers' to put on my boots and decided to try them out on the West Tiger #3 trail. I thought that the trail would have snow because of it being on the north side of the mtn. The first mile has no snow, just a wide wooded smooth uphill trail. The second mile is all ice and perfect to try the stabilicers..they worked great...really dig in and didn't slow me down. Third mile is packed snow and beautiful snow scenery. Top has 3-5 inches of snow and a view of the top of Mt Rainier that won't last for long with all the trees growing and blocking the view. Valley views and snow covered mountains beautiful. Stabilicers passed the test and didn't slow me down at all (3 hrs R/T incl lunch, 6 miles, 2000')...I'm now free to try new snow/ice covered trails !

By November standards, today was downright balmy, and I couldn't resist doing a little hike on good old Tiger Mountain. Accompanied by my new dog Lex, I started the walk at the Tradition Lake Trailhead, which has been beautifully landscaped; it looks like a city park now. Headed up the main hiker freeway to West Tiger III. Recently reconstructed, this trail is in excellent condition from top to bottom. Fall colors are still vivid in the maple trees. At the summit of West Tiger III, the temperature was mild and even a bit of sun peeked through the clouds. I lingered awhile, enjoying the view, which the surrounding trees are threatening to obstruct. The DNR may have to do some ""view logging"" in a few years. After the pleasant break at the summit, I headed down the steep Section Line Trail (officially ""Unmaintained"" per the sign, but certainly hikeable) to the W Tiger Railroad Grade trail. Headed west on that enjoyable path toward Poo Poo Point. The trail gets increasingly brushy and rough as it heads into Many Creeks Valley, but I love the uncrowded wilderness character in this area. There are some interesting railroad artifacts to be seen along the way; old rails, logging cables, and one stringer bridge still partly standing. At the four way junction, I followed the Poo Poo Point Trail downhill back to the Tradition Lake Plateau and on back to the car. Trail Condition Summary: West Tiger III (Tradition) Trail: Excellent. Too much out-slope in spots, makes the trail uncomfortable to hike on. W Tiger RR Grade from Section Line to Poo Poo Point junction: Fair. Brushy in Many Creeks Valley, some mud holes and blowdowns. Poo Poo Point Trail below RR Grade: Good. Above the big creek, overly steep sections need rerouting to reduce the grade, or at least drainage work and a bit of brushing. The big bridge is really slick and slimy to the point of being a hazard, and needs some treatment to improve traction (metal mesh nailed down on it?). Below the creek, the trail is in good shape, with one or two blowdowns. Drainage dips needs clearing; it looks like work is in progress to do just that.