This was our first time up this trail after the work and the logging and the West Tiger Mountain reroute at the summit. The trail description for the newly added West Tiger 1 reroute has not been updated for this trail description - the WTA article talking about the work up there is much better once you have an understanding of what is being explained. I also looked at google earth and maps and you can see the new trail on the summit (as well as an outline of the old bypass trail.) Note that google maps shows the Poo Top trail heading down the mountain but it also continues to the left (per the map but to the right when hiking - northerly) to the hiker's hut area. This is where the old Bypass trail connects back up with the summit road as can be seen on the map. See my photos attached to this write up for more clarity.
Started at the gate entrance which always seems to be a few degrees colder than the surrounding area. Lost the freeway noise when reaching the Dwight's way trail. Heard a pygmy owl near the West Tiger 1 RR Grade junction! Continue on the RR grade and join up with the Preston trail for the final steep and somewhat rocky (small round rocks) to the near summit junction with the bootleg trail (to the left) and the Preston trail and Hiker's Hut trail to the right. (See photo, this is the only sign that identifies the way to the hiker's hut.) This is also in the direction of the old Bypass trail. Continue on and under a few large fallen trees until you near one of the tower on the summit. At that point the route leaves the old Bypass route as it switchbacks to the left. It was a bit icy coming up to this stretch. Continue on this switchback and then reach the summit on what is the east side of the tower. The views here are very good especially south, east, and west so hang out a bit before continuing on. Cross the road and follow the sign that says Preston trail. This is the part that crosses along the south part of the mountain where you lose some elevation, turn right to go north, and re-enter the trees and connect up with the Poo Top trail (well signed). Continue on through the trees and then come up at the hiker hut location. The trees are growing up on the west side of that location and are starting to obscure the views but if you walk down the hill a bit it helps. On the more northerly side where the old Bypass trail used to come out, it has been clearcut leaving the hiker with outstanding views to the northern directions. See my photos for more clarity for the important junctions.
Comments