Got to the trailhead around ten and parked on the side of the road right by the main parking area. When we got back, there were about a half dozen cars in front of us (and no toilet paper in the outhouse!). 

Hiked the loop counterclockwise on a lovely day. The trail's in pretty good shape, though there was lots of mud, sometimes on a steep slope, but we survived. Lots of trillium, miners lettuce and yellow violets, with some bleeding heart at the top. On the spur trail at the top, I was a bit confused because it didn't line up with what my map on Gaia was telling me, and what I remembered from my last hike here a few years ago. But that was made clear at the top, where there was a signed marked "New Jim Whitaker Trail" . Not sure who was supposed to read it, since it wasn't like there was any other way to get there--they did a great job blocking the old trail. 

In our adventure of completing one hike a month for the whole year of 2022, towards our goal of becoming healthier day by day. In the month of April, we decided to go to a new hike close-ish to home. Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail. We did a total of 4.24 miles roundtrip. 

Parking: there is a small parking of around 15 cars. This parking lot is notorious for broken windows as we saw a lot of window glass on the ground. 

Restrooms: I cant recall if it was a porta potty or if it was a pit toilet. 

Rocky is currently 12 year old Chihuahua Yorkie Mix and he was able to hike all the way up. He needed a rest on the way down so we put him in his K9 Sport Sack Air 2. He can put his little paws out and enjoy the views like the king he is.

Andrew is 35 years old & 240lbs and I am 33 years old & 210 lbs – I provide this information in hopes to encourage anyone, no matter your size. You can be outdoorsy as long as you get out there and just walk and be one with nature! #unlikelyhikers #fatandoutdoorsy

     We did a 8 mile loop hike from the Wilderness / Whittaker trailhead today.  It was 38 degrees with overcast skies when we started hiking at 9:30.  The Porta Pottie was stocked with supplies and the lot was full of cars when we hit the trail.  Our route followed the Wilderness Creek trail up to Shy Bear Pass, Left on Shy Bear Trail, Right on Deceiver Trail , then Shy Bear to the New Wilderness Peak Trail and Gombu / Wilderness Cliff trail back down.  The entire trail was wet but well drained.  There were many sections where recent drainage work was evident.  Thank You WTA Trail work volunteers.  The wooden bridge in the first half mile up Wilderness Creek is very rickety and feels as if it could fall apart at any time. Two wooden posts on opposite banks have rotted and the bridge feels very tippy when crossing.

    Temperature's never warmed up all day and we had sleet, snow, rain and sun breaks.  Our lunch break along Shy Bear trail was short as we chilled down quickly.  A large pileated woodpecker flew over and worked its way up a dead stump in the area. That was fun to see. We also saw a few juncos and towhees, that was it for wildlife.   Wild flowers are on full display - trillium, yellow violets, bleeding hearts, Skunk cabbage, miners lettuce  and more.

     One of our hiker members, Susan,  has worked numerous times with WTA volunteers on the Wilderness Peak reroute.  It was fun to hear her stories and learn how much work goes into rerouting and building a  new trail.  THANK YOU ALL WTA TRAIL WORK VOLUNTEERS!   We arrived back at the TH lot just before 2:30.  It warmed up to a blazing 42 degrees and the lot was 3/4’s full.  Another fantastic day to be out in nature with friends.

Nice easy day hike for my elementary school aged kids and dog.

Thank you George & Sally for posting on the Blackwater trail. It is hard to come by trails in the Issaquah Alps that I have never done before. This apparently was an official trail several decades ago but it was abandoned. There's still a sign that indicates no horses allowed.  It looks like someone has recently resurrected the trail by at least partially brushing it out.  It is still a bit rough and brushy in places though with some down logs. I did not encounter any mud. It connects the East fork Trail with the Wilderness Creek Trail and allows for some new loops.