I believe this is a new record for me in terms of number of different trails used in one day! Twenty! Among trail runners (and perhaps some hikers) there is an infamous route called the Issaquah Alps 100. A hundred mile route that winds it's way from Mailbox, Teneriffe, Si, Little Si over to and traversing Rattlesnake Mountain, then wandering it's way around Tiger before heading over to Squak and Cougar before winding it's way back. It's a beastly route that only ten or so people have accomplished. The brain child of George Orozco who likes to challenge us with routes like these in this area. Being familiar with the first 60 or so miles of the route but very unfamiliar with the last 30 or so. I decided to take the day to trace it out starting from the High Point Trailhead, up and over the West Tigers before crossing over to Squak and Cougar before returning back to High Point. Surprisingly, I have never stepped foot on Squak or Tiger so this day was long overdue. The familiar climb to West Tiger 3 via that trail. Good news, all snow and ice is gone. The trail continues to be clear all the way over to the Hikers Hut on West Tiger 1. The only snow to negotiate is on the Bypass Trail, Bootleg Trail and a small portion of 15 Mile RR Grade. Traction is not required though. Taking a right at the junction with Tiger Mountain Trail and following that to One-View and then dropping down Poo Poo Point. Again no snow to be found on any of these trails. It was here that the trails were "new" to me. I followed High School Trail passing the usual Saturday morning crowds before winding my way over Front Street, up Sycamore and working my way through the residential area to the Sycamore Connector Trail. While I enjoyed the route, this part somewhat detracted from the flow. However, I don't see any other route over to Squak from that area that wouldn't be more of the same. Began the climb up Sycamore, onto the East Ridge Trail and finally to the East Side Trail. A blowdown or two to get around but nothing serious. Unlike Tiger, these trails were virtually empty. Following East Side, I found myself trotting with map in hand to verify I was on the correct route as there were a few junctions that could lead to wrong turns. The timely arrival of a duo of trail runners at one junction confirmed one of the trickier junctions at the Bullit Fireplace Trail. I then made my way down the West Side Trail towards Hwy 900, taking a left on this road then linking up with the Squak Mountain Connector Trail. I followed this to Wilderness Creek Trail and on to Deceiver Trail. Again, a lot of trail junctions to chose from (which is a good thing!) but can be tricky. At each junction there were groups of people referring to their maps and phones. These trails are less technical and very easy going compared to what I am use to and I enjoyed the new scenery. I wound my way down to Indian Trail then cut back east on Quarry Trail following that to Shy Bear and finally taking the Wilderness Peak trail towards that summit. Nothing notable on any of these trails to worry about. Again, a blowdown or two to scamper over. I then backtracked my way back down Cougar, over to Squak using the same trails I came over on. Finally back down to the High School, then cutting north on that trail, until I linked up with the trail climbing to Power Line and finally taking Brink Trail and Swamp Trail back to High Point. The total was a little over 34 miles with a surprising amount of cumulative gain at 8k. Great portions of trail to explore and get some early season conditioning in.

Great morning hike. Lots of families and dogs on the trail.

Easy to get to trail head and great signage along the way. A couple of trees down over the trail, but easy enough for adults to step over. Icy and light snow coverage on trail at the top of Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail made the first part of the descent a slippery. It's all up and then all down; good for a 50+ like me to have a walking stick.

I parked at the little Bear Ridge pullout and crossed the street, uphill on the private road to a gated old logging road. Walk the old road for a few minutes and you'll see the access trail on your left. The trail switchbacks up past an old cabin in the woods (empty) and a couple neighborhood access trails before reaching the Mountainside Drive TH on Squak. I continued uphill and onto the Chybinski Loop. By this point there is snow on the trail, fairly packed and slushy/icy in places as well as the mudholes you should expect after as much rain as we've had lately. I continued up until I reached the turnoff for Margaret's Way. Margaret's way at first is in fine condition and was even run-able for me (I have a low tolerance for mud and slush/snow when running) and then became increasingly muddy in places with a couple of epic mudholes. At the Cougar/Squak corridor trailhead I headed north on SR900 for a short distance to the Cougar Mountain Wilderness Peak trailhead. I went to Wilderness Peak next, then back down the trail to Shy Bear Pass and down the trail towards Fred's Railroad trail. I followed this to Clay Pit Road, then across to Klondike Marsh, to Cougar Pass, then back to my car via the Tibbet's Marsh/Creek and finally Bear Ridge. Overall, above about 1000 feet you should expect some snow. There was more snow on Cougar than on Squak- perhaps beacuse of different sorts of tree cover? the more open areas have more snow. However, I didn't step in any snow more than about 3" deep. As these trails get a lot of traffic and have been rained on for a couple of days, the snow was more of a slippery packed slush mixed with mud most of the time. I was fine in my trail runners, however, the weather forecast is for sub freezing temps this week. If you are headed this way after the hard freeze expected Tuesday, I would come prepared for all the wet slushy snow and mud to become ice. This hike is a little over 13 miles and 3000+ elevation gain/loss.

Dont blink. You'll miss the blue sign. No pass required