Got to the TH around 1:45pm and the parking lot was full but was able to grab a parking spot. The trail was in good condition. Some spots were narrow some were wide for multiple parties passing by. The incline was definitely killer since it was all uphill. Up at the top it was quite windy and cold so I was thankful I brought a beanie and gloves. Overall great hike but a little crowded since it's such a popular trail. 

I was surprised there was no ice in the trail as it was very frosty in the parking lot, but no ice or snow on the trail.

Beautiful morning, chilly and windy but great views. A bit of mud here and there but not much. One blowdown about half a mile in, low enough to step over.

Still a few parking spots at 10am, parking was full when I returned around 2.

Wonderful views, I spent awhile at the top with a warm coat as the wind was cold!

Trailhead portapotties were stocked, I forgot to check the toilet at the top.

My intent was to see the sunrise at the Rainier viewpoint near the top of Poo Poo Point.  Left home at 6 and got to the Chirico trailhead parking lot close to 6:30.  There was a really long line of cars heading into Issaquah as I was heading out toward this trailhead.  Tons of headlights and oddly dark but I saw the parking area on my left just fine.  Pit toilets were newly cleaned and stocked.  About 5 cars in the lot.  I started out at 6:45 with my headlamp on.  About 10 minutes in I was seeing traces of the first light of sunrise as the sky was getting a little lighter.  I only needed the headlamp for maybe 1 mile.  The trail had evidence of lots of recent rain and there are muddy sections for sure.  I listened to the birds singing as the light increased. I moved quickly up to the Rainier viewpoint and took a seat on the stone bench which is a memorial for 3 women who passed in 2022 (I’d not seen this in the past).  Luckily when I arrived, the pinks and oranges were sparse but the mountain was fully out above the thick cloud layer in the valleys.  I had some tea and watched the sparse higher clouds move in finally obscuring the view.  I then hiked up to Poo Poo Point and it was totally socked in (no Mount Baker).  There were 2 people there and the thought was it was not a day for paragliding. I easily found Poo Poo Point trail adjacent to the bathrooms.  I hiked this mellow trail until it intersected with One View trail which is an awesome trail and really climbs quite steeply along the way.  The one view was the ground I’d say.  But best to look at the surrounding foliage and listen to the birds.  One View takes you by Fifteenmile Gap and onto Tiger Mountain Trail for a short time.  You go left onto Hidden Forest trail and then onto Poo Top Trail which gains a lot of elevation.  These trails are all nice and narrow.  Took Poo Top going left as I hit an intersection up near the giant cell towers (this area has been routed differently but well signed).  Poo Top leads to an open area with a Hikers Hut and a couple of benches.  This is adjacent to West Tiger 1 summit.  Views were pretty socked in up here in the distance (Rainier was in and out of view) but the sun was out so I sat and enjoyed my place on the bench next to the hut.  Had some lunch and returned the way I came up.  Of note there were 2 downed trees on One View trail (one at 0.5 miles from the hut and one at 1.4 miles from the hut on my way down—easy to step over them).  When I got back to Poo Poo point, it was very drippy and kind of raining.  Not a day for gliding.  I put on rain jacket and continued down feeling lucky I had a nice view early in the am.  About 1/2 way down Chiroco trail the sun came out and it felt warm.  I was reminded of how rocky this trail is after already doing most of the miles on dirt trail.  There were lots of hikers with well behaved dogs on their way up.  I saw only 3 people on my way to West Tiger 1 from Poo Poo Point earlier in the am and nobody at my sunrise spot.  When I got back to the parking lot it was about 80% full.  Great day in nature.  You can rack up some elevation gain and miles in this area which is quite nice.

Cloudy day with a very light drizzle, there were about 15 cars in the lot when I arrived around 10am (lot probably fits around 50 cars).  A few muddy patches but nothing too bad, no snow on the trail.  No paragliders or hang gliders today, but still a pleasant hike with limited views due to clouds.  

Started the hike at 2 o’clock. Parked at the park north of the trailhead since a lot was over full. Cheryl was in very good condition. People were nice.

Found part of a flashlight ball band left at the troll head, up from the parking lot and passed the powerline