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Tiger Mountain

Day Work Party

Sun Sep 14, 2025: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Issaquah Alps — Tiger Mountain

Crew Leader: Ben Semer

Tahoma and South Tiger, from Kevin's Point. Photo by ALW Hiker

Overview

Back to West Tiger 1 and the Preston Trail! We will spend our time working on more bomb cyclone trail rehab, some aggressive brushing, and a short trail realignment. Meet up location is the lower parking lot at the Tiger Mountain Summit parking area off Hwy 18.

About the Area

Tiger Mountain could be the most heavily trod upon 3,000 foot hill in the U.S., since it is open to hikers, horses, and dogs, with mountain bikes allowed on some trails. This has been a popular peak, as it is set in Issaquah's backyard. About 60 miles of trails web the hill, making loops ranging from a mile to a dozen miles, and the upper trails provide some excellent views of Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound lowlands.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

The crew will be working on restoring and realigning the upper Preston and Bootleg trails. Views of Mount Rainier are stunning when the weather is clear. Crews will be fixing trail tread where tree root wads have torn up the trail, brushing back about a mile of trail, and constructing a 200ft trail realignment.

Hiking Information

Expect to hike 2-3 miles over steep terrain. Footing may include being on and off trail, on uneven surfaces and on a steep slope.

Schedule

  • 8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
  • 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
  • Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
  • Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
  • 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!


Pack for the weather - sunscreen/sunglasses or rain gear and warm layers as appropriate.


What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 14 and up.  A parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18.

What to Wear

Required:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
  • Long pants

Recommended:

  • Sturdy work or hiking boots
  • Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring

  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Sun protection - sunscreen, sunglasses
  • Extra clothing for after the work party in case of extreme weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

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Directions

Road Construction on route - Hwy 18 is open during heavy construction between I90 and Tiger Summit. The road surface can be rough where they have rerouted lanes. Please obey all traffic signs, do not rush, and pay extra attention while driving this of section road.

Google Pin for East Tiger Mountain Summit TH parking lot

From I-90 take exit 25 and head south on Highway 18. At about 3.3 miles from I-90 you reach Tiger Summit. Turn Right into the Tiger Mountain Summit parking area on the west side of the highway. We will meet in the lower parking lot.

Note: These directions are to our meet up location only. They are not to our project location. To get to our project, we will be driving through locked gates. Please make every effort to arrive at least 5 minutes early to ensure you are able to get through the gate with the group. The gate will be locked behind us at approx. 8:35am.

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

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