(it’s really not that hard…)
Tiger Mountain is a short drive away from downtown Seattle and almost a stone’s throw from Issaquah if you have a good arm, but it feels much farther once you step out of the parking lot and enter the rambling web of trails.
Our chosen trail this past weekend was West Tiger 3, which rises 2,000 or so feet up the mountain within a span of around 2 1/2 miles. The trail is moderate and well maintained, which is one of the reasons that the mountain is so popular and cars line the road to the trailhead when the weather is warmer. Tiger Mountain’s views, accessibility, and usual lack of snow bring many hikers (and their children, and their dogs) to the trail, so be prepared to share. During the winter months, we discovered, its popularity is unabated and the parking lot was full despite our post-season timing and likelihood of rain.
The trail winds through forest almost the entire climb, with a wide logging road allowing for side-by-side hiking at the start and sharper switchbacks as the ascent gets steeper. Once you reach the summit, views are possible (we even could see a little despite the impending rain and cloudy weather) but again be prepared for company, as many trails lead to the top.
Our trip down was a soggy one, with the skies opening up and miniature streams beginning to form beneath our feet. Such are the hazards of late season hiking, but the group was glad overall to be able to get one more good hike in before snowshoe season started!
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