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Home Go Hiking Trip Reports Nike Horse Trail, Cave Hole, By Pass Trail, Fred's Railroad, Clay Pit Road, Old Man's Trail

Trip Report

Nike Horse Trail, Cave Hole, By Pass Trail, Fred's Railroad, Clay Pit Road & Old Man's Trail — Thursday, Jul. 26, 2018

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain
Hike map

Arrived just after 4 PM on a sunny Thursday to find a nearly empty parking lot.  The dappled light through the canopy was lovely throughout.  Saw only one other person the whole time on Clay Pit road.  Other than silence, I enjoyed frogs croaking, an owl starting to hoot, snakes rustling from the sun into hiding, various birds, and squirrels alerting others to my presence.

Per Garmin, 1.8 miles.

Caution: Blind corners and drivers disregarding traffic directionality create Sky Country parking lot hazards.  Every stretch of the figure-8-shaped lot is a one-way (see the attached picture).  Directionality is indicated with traffic signs and pavement arrows.  However, people frequently drive against the one-ways.  We’ve all disregarded parking lot traffic signs, but the lot has blind corners that are only safe when directionality is followed.  I have seen people charging excitedly into the parking lot and around blind corners with the confidence they have the right-of-way to the whole lane.  I have also seen people in a hurry to get home drive furiously around the same blind corners the wrong way.  At some point, people will collide.  So, do not be one of those people; recognize that, once you are in the parking lot, Mad Max rules apply and drive cautiously around every corner assuming someone could be hurtling against the one-way toward you.

Dappled light on Cave Hole Trail
Canopy on Old Man's Trail (don't forget to look up)
Parking lot
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