Started up the Cable route close to 10 am with clouds overhead and no rain.  The trail is wet with occasional mud but no running water or puddles at this time.  Had my head down most of the way up (imagine that) and did not look around much for foliage, plants or wildlife today.  I stopped at the barrier on the cable route which is close to OSAT’s meeting place prior to reaching the summit (logs arranged in a square for sitting).  The summit was socked in and from what I could see there are no standing trees and a lot of tree debris on the summit.  I did not venture forward to see more and did not hear the logging machinery noise today.  Sat and had a snack and also admired 2 memorials for passed OSAT members just next to the meeting area. Started down the cable route then detoured over to the regular trail.  I saw only 1 person on my way down.  I’m amazing the trees and undergrowth survived this past hot/dry summer because it all looked pretty lush and vibrant after the rain.  I saw a few brown/dead cedar trees amongst the green.  Did a lot of thinking on the trail today and enjoyed the quiet.  I was fortunate to catch this window of no rain because there is a lot in the upcoming forecast.

Parked at the Highpoint trailhead Sunday morning to get up as far as allowed on West Tiger #3

Nook Trail

Went up the Nook trail, and crossed a red alder that had fallen across the trail (see photo), a little before the intersection with Talus Rocks trail.

Section Line Trail

From Nook trail took a right on Talus Rocks, then left on to Section Line trail, which is signed "Unmaintained Trail".

When I reached the intersection with West Tiger RR Grade, the Upper Section Line was closed for logging, so I turned left onto West Tiger RR Grade, until I reached the intersection with Cable line, and continued uphill on that.

Cable Line Trail

Cable Line trail is open almost all the way up, and closed just after the intersection with Upper Section Line

Went over to the West Tiger #3 trail just below where Cable Line was closed, and I could peek at the new logging road going down and then up to West Tiger #2. Also checked out the memorials just under West Tiger #3 - they are intact.

It seems like the logging of most of the Weyerhaeuser parcel between #3 and #2 is complete, and will continue between #2 and #1 now.

Parking lot was 70% full when I got back, quite a few people making use of the break in rain to get their workout in. 

You can get all the way up to where the Cable Line trail intersects the Section Line trail now before you hit the barricades. It is just below the summit, so you can see where the trees have been cut. I wandered around, but did not cross the barricades. Please don't because if people go up to the top, they may move the barricades back down to where they were. I could hear the machinery over by West Tiger 2. It also appeared that it was clear cut down the slope from W Tiger 3 over to W Tiger 2. It was foggy by the time I got up to the barricades, so I could not get a clear look. Once it opens up, I assume the views are going to be sweet not only on the top of W Tiger 3, but also on the ridge walk over to W Tiger 2. Hopefully they clean up all the slash, grade it out a bit, plant a few trees, and don't leave it as an ugly clear-cut, as it could turn out to be quite nice up there!!

PSA: Car prowler!!!

I parked in the small turn off parking area right next to the Cable Line TH. It took me just over 2.5 hours to get to the top (where they have it closed off for logging) and back down.
When I got back to my car, my window had been smashed in and someone went through all my stuff. It doesn’t look like anything was stolen, but I don’t keep anything valuable in my car. More so just sucks that I have to pay to get the window fixed now.

When I first parked there I noticed some other spots with broken glass, so clearly I’m not the only victim. Be careful parking there!! There were a few cars parked along the road and none of those cars were broken into, so maybe that’s the safer place to park.

Parked at the base of the Cable route and started up at 1000 with 1 other car in the area.  The trail is wet but no running water or puddles on the route.  The areas with exposed cable seem to be a little less prominent (looks as if some of the trenches were filled).  No trees down on the trail, just tree debris and river rock.  The rain provided much relief to the vegetation and the trail was compact with no dust.  Only wildlife were a few birds and beetles.  You could hear the crane and tree remover equipment from the trail about 2/3 of the way up ,and the sound was coming up the valley between West Tiger 3 and 2.  I stopped in the vicinity of where the trail is blocked with the orange trail closure “fence”.  Met 3 other hikers in this spot.  Rumor has it there will be views at the summit of Rainier and downtown when the logging is complete.  You can actually see where the trees have been taken out as you look towards the summit because the sky at the horizon is visible from the trail closure sign.  Also heard when Weyerhaeuser is finished the work, DNR will take over the land which to me sounds like the creation of new trails but I guess we’ll see.  Took the regular West Tiger 3 trail back down to my car and had the company of one of the near summit hikers which was nice.  It’s always great when you can talk about hikes, climbs and life in general with a fellow hiker.  Trail is in excellent condition after the rain and wind we had over the weekend.  The regular parking lot was pretty busy at the trailhead.  Bathrooms are up and running and not as bad as they were a year.