West Tiger Four-Summit Loop — Monday, Feb. 23, 2015

Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain

Today, I'm beginning the Four-Summit Loop at the paraglider landing field. Later in the day the path across the field will be muddy, but it's early now and the footing is still frosty. The start of the Chirico Trail up Poo Poo Point is as mossy and green as ever. Higher up, in a trailside spot that gets a bit of sun, a few yellow violets are blooming as though it weren't still February. (I'll see more of them farther along, beside the One View and Hidden Forest Trails.) It's a clear, sunny day and, from the South Launch Area, Mt. Rainier is out with a striking cloud cap. It's worth a brief sit to take it in. Then on to the North Launch Area. No fliers here yet, but there are a few early hikers. Great views today, with the Olympics and Mt. Baker clearly visible. Then it's on toward West Tiger No. 1, via all those short trail segments: The Poo Poo Point, One View, TMT, Hidden Forest and Poo Top Trails. And, on that final path, I always forget how undulating the ridge is, and how many false summits the Poo Top Trail has on its final approach to West Tiger No. 1. But eventually it gets me there. Number 1 is my high point for the day. Then it's past the Hiker's Hut and over to No. 2 via the service road, and on to No. 3 via the trail. I expect to see a crowd there, but surprisingly there's only a single hiker. "A bunch of other people just left," I'm told. Then it's down the Section Line Trail, but only as far as the West Tiger RR Grade. I turn south there, on my way back toward Poo Poo Point. On the way I see still more yellow violets, and some coltsfoot in bloom. But the trilliums, if any are out, stay hidden from me. Back at Poo Poo Point many other folks have arrived, both fliers unfolding their chutes and spectators there for the show. It's all seems very festive. Then it's back down the Chirico Trail to my trailhead. It's been a good day. A lot of folks were out on the Chirico Trail, and at Poo Poo Point, but only a handful on the other trails. All trails were in good condition, with only an occasional muddy section. The blowdown on the One View Trail is still there, but can be ducked under without too much difficulty. There's another blowdown on the Section Line Trail, a larger tree trunk, but it's higher off the ground so is even easier to duck under.