Poo Poo Point, One-View Trail, High School Trail & Tiger Mountain Trail — Thursday, Jun. 18, 2009

Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain

Headed out early for a trail run on this 30th day without rain. I used the High School Trail to access Tiger Mtn. from downtown Issaquah. Right behind Issaquah High School the trail has been rerouted due to some contstruction. It goes around behind the baseball fields now. Easy to follow since there is a chain link fence on one side, and fresh bark tread. I climbed Poo Poo Point trail, which is in great shape. All the mud is even dry now, but the foliage was damp from the low clouds. The salmon berries are starting to encroach on the trail in places. I saw a glacier lilly along the way. From the summit intersection I took One View Trail across to the intersection with the Tiger Mountain Trail, which is always one of my favorites. The condition of the TMT varies, in sections it is very narrow and the edges are crumbling away, while in areas where work has recently been done (primarily the swutchbacks before the TMT #2 trail crossing) are in perfection condition. There were a couple buckets there, so I assume work is still going on. I particularly like the TMT for it's gradual ups and downs, and the fact that I never see another soul on it! I opted not to summit #2 due to the low clouds but continued to follow the TMT around the north side, and past the RR grade crossing. I haven't been out this way for awhile, as I usually sneak down the K3 shortcut which connects back up with the TMT cutting off a mile or two. I was in for a surprise, as the TMT dropped off sharply into a big mudslide area, I assume a result of the floods earlier this season. I think this is High Point Creek. Pay attention so you don't miss the trail reroute like I did. I ended up hiking up around the slide area and it was sketchy! Back on the trail, we dropped down, past Fred's Corner and then the TMT turns back towards the creek. Where the trail crosses the wash out again, the bridge was closed. It has sustained some damage to the structure, but the entire thing has also been moved from its original location. The forces of nature always amaze me. I was too far in to turn around now, so worked my way across the creek carefully and continued on. I was already soaked from the wet brush so a little extra water didn't matter at this point. From there the TMT descent back to the Tradition Plateau was normal, and I even flushed a couple deer. I opted for the Bus Trail to head back to town, and was surprised to see several hundred slugs on just this short section of moist gravel tread. I have never seen such a thing in my life...every few steps there were groupings of slugs...6, 10, sometimes more. I don't know what the special occasion was. I even saw a couple land snails the size of golf balls! I was happy to get back to the car after this 11 mile adventure, where once again, I saw not a single person.