Tiger Mountain Road, Tiger Mountain Trail & West Side Road — Tuesday, Apr. 19, 2005

Issaquah Alps > Tiger Mountain

I hiked a 10-11 mile loop from Tiger Mount Summit on Highway 18, using Main Tiger Mountain Road to Paw Print Rest Stop, Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT), and the West Side Road. On a sunny day, the views from the main road are nice, especially between the 1.5-2 mile points, and near the 4 mile point. This portion of TMT cuts through thick second growth, with few highlights. I liked the old-growth stumps as much as the emerging salmonberry and skunk cabbage blossoms. Trail is well maintained. I was disappointed that someone rode their horse on TMT, postholing on the downhill side of the trail on steep sections. I was also disappointed by a bicyclist who claimed ignorance about the hiking-only status of this trail, but enjoyed seeing him have to heave his bike over the maze barrier separating the trail and West Side Road.