Middle and Main Tiger 1.14.13

  I didn't have alot of time so I stayed close to home with the intent of getting some elevation and miles in. I have been up both of these peaks numerous times in the last few months but with the conditions ever changing it was still a worthy trip. I parked on Tiger Mountain Road and made my way up the West Tiger Road until I reached the Middle Tiger Trailhead about a mile in. The trail was mostly snow free on it's lower reaches. I think this trail is my favorite of all the West side trails because it really doesn't mess around with the elevation gain. Soon the snow got deeper but the track was worn... mostly my steps from my 3 other recent visits. Once cresting Middle Tiger the snow deepened consiiderably. It also seemed 10 degrees warmer than it was when I started. I am guessing with the recent weather we will soon see some strong inversions and poor quality air in the lowlands. The trail down was a bit slick with a dusting of snow over mostly packed snow. In short order I reached the end of the trail than connects with a spur road that reaches the Main Tiger Mt. Road.
   This portion was very annoying. I was able to see my bootprints from last week but the wind and filled my tracks with snow. I found easier going to stay on the untracked snow. The trees all laden with snow were bent over the road making for tedious travel. Once I thankfully reached the mainline the road was packed. I had intended on continuing on to Weat Tiger and West Tiger 2 before closing my loop. I instead headed towards the East Tiger ( main summit). The going was much quicker on the packed road.  I reached the mountain biking trail that meanders it's way to East Tiger. I grew weary of this trail so I left for an initially more direct line to the summit. I did spend some time wandering through a minelfield of blowdowns covered with snow.  Once again I rejoined  a road and decided to stay on this to the summit instead of staying on the trail.
   After a brief stay I retraced my steps. I didn't have enough time to continue on my planned loop so I continued on back towards Middle Tiger. Again going through this portion was not exactly fun but soon I found myself on the Middle Tiger Trail for the short climb back to the summit. The balance of the descent went quickly and I did make it back home in time for my appointment.
Approx 10 miles 3000' of climb 4:15 car to car.

Tucker Creek Area 4114'

   It has  been some time since I have been outside of the Issaquah area to do some climbing. I have spent this fall exploring areas close to my home. I have shifted to doing more miles each week just to lean myself out a bit and see as much of this unexplored area as I can. I have enjoyed my forays in the local Issaquah Alps but getting out in the snow was calling out to me. I have read a few reports of recent climbs in the snow but I know how variable conditions can be locally so I thought something low key was in order. I had been up Tucker Creek last Winter and I remember thinking a return trip would be in order. I didn't have a whole day so I thought I would just go as far as I could in my allotted time.  I parked near the Iron Horse trail despite the gate being open. I didn't want to chance getting caught on the wrong side of a closed gate.  The weather had cleared considerably and I cursed the fact that I had forgot to pack my sunglasses. In the end they weren't needed. I followed the road heading up Tucker Creek that was broken by snowmobile traffic. Not needing snowshoes the pace was quick.. I crossed a couple of creeks by booting it through the water instead of tempting some suspect looking bridges. Soon I reached a junction with a more travelled road and I headed up. I switched to snowshoes and the pace slowed. Despite working very hard on my fitness this didn't transfer to ploughing through heavy snow with snowshoes on. I was quite surprised that I couldn't manage 2 MPH on the low grade road.  I had hoped to summit Goat Mt. but it was clear that my pace wouldn't allow for that. Just before reaching a saddle I decided to bag 4114' instead. I followed a snowmobile track steeply up the ridgeline where I departed to make my own way. The snow was deep and not very well consolidated. This slowed the pace to a crawl. Finally I made the summit that was completely treed with no views. I had a short lunch sheltered from the stiff wind. I retraced my steps to the snowmobile track and continued down ridge to intersect the road further down the ridge. I enjoyed the nice walk back to the car, very thankful for another opportunity to get out.

Approx 8.5 miles 2100' of climb 4:15 car to car

West Tiger #3, Poo Poo Point The Very Long Way

With the predicted poor weather on Monday I wanted a day just on trail. I had planned on heading East but when I heard that I-90 was going to be shut down to one lane each way at Snoqualmie Pass I decided another destination was in order. When I got up the kids begged me to stay home so I decided to instead include them in a hike. Thankfully the wife joined as well. Last week I had done some more exploring of Tiger Mt. using the trailhead that starts at the bottom of Highlands drive. In my wanderings last week I found a "big tree" trail. which I didn't explore. I thought this would be perfect for a family hike. I enjoyed having the family enjoy the threatening weather. Thankfully it did stay dry. The trail wanders through some beautiful forest and finally we were treated to a 24' diameter tree. I ended up making a loop out of the trip. When we returned to the car the family bid me adieu and I retraced my steps to the junction with the Adventure Trail and started South. I followed this to the Section Line trail which I used to summit West Tiger #3. I only saw one person on my ascent so I was shocked to see a solo hiker just ahead of me. We ended up reaching the summit at the same time. I found the odds of two hikers summitting at the same time on a rainy October day from 2 different routes to be extremely low. The wind and rain was very stout on the summit. I had planned on continuing on to West Tiger #2 but the weather made me change my mind. I had a long way to go and I thought it best to continue South.

   I retraced my steps until I reached the County Line Trail. Despite my wishes for a brush free trail day I was dismayed to find that the trail was vastly overgrown. With the leafy brush and the growing rain I was soon soaked. I pushed on the endless ups and downs of the County Line trail. The trail follows an old railroad grade which is mostly flat. However it crosses many creeks that one must drop 50' and then re climb once across the creek. My next stop was Poo Poo Point. I stopped for a short time to check in with my wife. I feared with so far to go yet that I would have to walk the last 4 miles of busy roads in the dark. I joined the road to Poo Poo Point to connect with the spur that branches off Tiger Mt Road. Despite some options that would have let me descend earlier I continued heading South. I really wanted a coffee and I hoped that I would be able to reach the coffee shop at the Tiger Mt. Store before it closed for the night. I finally reached the Tiger Mt. road and leashed the dog. I wasn't thrilled to use this road because there isn't much of a shoulder and the sight lines are short and traffic seems to move at a faster than needed clip. Finally I reached the bottom of the hill and was able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee while I waited for my family to pick me up. A fine way to spend a very wet afternoon.

Approx 15 miles 4000' of climb 3:45 walking.

Alta Mountain 6240'

   I had a devil of a time deciding what I wanted to do for this day. After last week's long and arduous trek I wanted something mostly on trail. I wasn't opposed to a lot of miles or climb but I wanted to avoid anything too taxing on the mind or to wrestle with too much brush. I got up 30 minutes early to try to decide without any success. I picked up Bruce in Issaquah and we had some discussion about the day's objective. First it was Silver, then I decided a return to Hi-Box would be a good fit. I didn't have a parking pass so I parked at the spur road about 1/4 mile short of the Rachel Lake Trail Head. Some time along the way we decided to head for Alta instead. The weather was cool but we both knew that that would be short lived. We kept the pace up making our way for the mostly flat initial 3 miles to Rachel Lake. In short order we reached the climbing portion of the approach to the lake. Bruce peeled off to adjust clothing and I pushed on. I had great legs so I pushed pretty hard up the rooty rocky trail to the lake. In short order I reached the lake and chatted with a lone hiker who was already there.

 

 

 

 

Shortly thereafter Bruce joined me for a short respite at the lake. Despite the warm sun the temps were perfect with the stiff breeze. After a short stay we headed up towards the junction with the Rampart Lakes Trail. The trail improves despite the increased pitch. I marvelled how quickly we were able to climb above the lake

 

 

 

 

After reaching a junction we headed North for a short ways before the trail again split. Here we headed left and started the climb past the numerous false summits along the way to the true summit. The colors were a bit past there prime but with the beautiful weather the views were something to behold.

 

 

 

 

The trail is easy to follow and in good shape. It does pass multiple false summits and does have some minor exposure. Once at the summit I soaked in the views along with the warm sun.

 

 

 

Even though it was still early I needed to get back so retreat I did. We were treated on the descent with an eagle soaring below us, along with the beautiful fall colors.

 

 

We had an extended break a couple of hundred feet below the summit before pounding our way back to Rachel Lake. There was a nice couple at the lake that we chatted with before the descent back to the valley floor. It did seem longer on the way out than it did on our way in. Finally we made it back to the car.

 

Approx 10 miles 3600 ft of climb 7 hours car to car.