moderate. The trail was in good conditions, but at the end was bit icy. Recommended

Just a quick report so you have an idea of conditions on this popular hike.  The lower trail is snow free but there was some compact ice/mud around some of the steps.  Intermittent compact snow/ice/mud started around the half way point, but later with the rising temps that rose to the upper third on the way back down.  A good 2 inches of still fluffy stuff at both the south and north areas with a nice snowy trail through that last upper section of forest.  I put on spikes about a third of the way from the top and took them off about half way down, about 50% of folks were wearing spikes at this point.  If you go left at the trail split right before the final ascent to the south launch area then you will need to bend quite a ways down to get under some low vine maple branches.  After enjoying the view at the north launch area I took the service road back to the south which gives some warm sunny exposure before you reenter the forest.  As this is a mostly south facing trail it was quite pleasant on the way back down apart from some ice bombs from the trees.  The lion at the gate looked really cold with frost and snow when I passed him on the way up.

Notes:  The parking lot had a nasty odor when I arrived (maybe from the Cedar Grove compost facility?).  Porta-potties just OK.  Still lots of parking both mid morning and when I returned early afternoon.

This was our first time going up to West Tiger from the Poo Poo Chirico trailhead.  It is a longer route but it is also much less crowded than the standard West Tiger 3 or Cable Line trails.  It also has the advantage on a sunny day of being mostly on the bright south side of the mountain.  

I do wish that people would stop leaving dog poop bags on the trail. It is disgusting.  Even if you are leaving the bag with the intention of picking it up on the way back, you will induce dysphoria in every hiker that gazes upon it.  Why would you want to do that?  Just bury the poop in some leaves if you don't intend to carry the bag.  This was not a thing 20 years ago. Are people just getting stupider?

The One View trail traverses some very pleasant forest.  There was one wind fall that was recently cut (thank you) but the lifted root ball has destroyed a 15 foot segment of trail on a steep slope.  It is a little tricky to get across this part.

Dramatic Erratic is on the TMT just below W Tiger 2.  It is amazing to think that the massive Cordilleran Ice sheet (~13,000 BC) was thick enough to flow over the top of Tiger Mountain and deposit this huge rock!

The West Tiger Railroad Grade is relatively flat as expected but there are severe creek ravines that have to be crossed along the way.  There are several wind fall on this trail as well.

I removed lots of branches from the trail but there's plenty more to do. Always leave it better than when you started.

Amazing 14 year old Ms Maddy kept up like a trooper.  

Lollipop Loop 11mi and 3000ft

I've hiked both trails to Poo Poo Point a few times, but this time I had a unique chance to hike both routes in the same hike. My driver dropped me off at the High School Trail and I followed the long trail up to the top, then I took the Chirico Trail down and reconnected with my driver in the parking lot. It was great to experience both trails on the same day. 

Both trails are nice in their own way, but I would much prefer the High School Trail (longer version). The Chirico Trail is full of people who don't hike often, unprepared and playing Bluetooth speakers. The Chirico trail is definitely shorter, but it is nearly the same elevation gain so overall steeper and more challenging. The longer trail, while still at an incline, is more gradual and an enjoyable workout that could be a nice a trail run.

We had a nice view at the top today, on a clear, sunny Sunday winter day. Rainier was prominent from the southern lookout. Paragliders were prepping for takeoff at the north lookout, but we didn't stick around long enough for their flight. 

Arrived before 9:00—had to wait a minute to get a parking spot. Lots of folks up and down. The logs reported down are all cut out (nice but of work, too!). Foggy most of the way but a great view from the top look out—lots of paragliding! Trace of snow at the top but posed no issue.