Margaret's Way and Debbie's View

Issaquah Alps

If nature excites you, there's plenty here to be excited about. Cool forest, trickling creeks in deep ravines, and a beautiful new trail built by WTA volunteers await you here.

Margaret's Way is a trail built on King County lands on the west side of Squak Mountain, connecting to the Squak Mountain trail system, and culminating at Five Corners, where hikers can link to the Chybinski trail, as well as the Perimeter Loop near Debbie's View.

In 2014, King County made a land purchase on the west side of Squak Mountain, with the intention of creating a forest preserve.

Named in honor of Margaret MacLeod, a park planner for numerous local, state and federal agencies, whose long career resulted in the preservation of hundreds of acres of land along Issaquah Creek and Squak and Tiger Mountains, Margaret's Way is a delightful 3 mile forest ramble along wooded hillsides and near rushing creeks.

Beginning from the Squak Mountain Lodge, the trail heads through the parking and camping area using old access and logging roads before becoming true trail. Roads once laced the upper reaches of the mountain, but these are now mostly overgrown with moss-laden bigleaf maple, cedar, western hemlock, and a few Douglas-fir, thanks in part to MacLeod's work to preserve this area.

Once you step onto the trail itself, you'll wend your way along a hillside, continuing on a moderate grade through green underbrush and silent sentinel trees.

Debbie's View, a delightful lookout point with views of Mount Rainier and the surrounding foothills makes for a great rest/turn-around spot. Where Margaret's Way ends, turn right on Chybinski, then another immediate right on Perimeter Loop, and watch for a sign to Debbie's View. The side trip to Debbies' View adds 0.7 miles.

Margaret's Way and Debbie's View

Map & Directions

Getting There

Driving Directions

From I-90, take exit 15 signed Lake Sammamish/Renton Highway 900. At the stoplight at the end of the exit turn right onto Highway 900/Renton-Issaquah Road and go south toward Renton. From the stoplight drive 3.2 miles and turn left at the easy-to-miss driveway with a large blue Cougar Mountain Recreation sign. The large parking lot is straight ahead. Park in this lot -- do not continue through the gray gate.

Take Transit

Take the bus to the trailhead!

For the 2021 hiking season, Trailhead Direct will once again be providing transit service from the Seattle area to popular trails in the area. Stay tuned!