Tibbetts Marsh Loop

Hike Route:  Bear Ridge Trail => W. Tibbetts Creek Trail => Tibbetts Marsh Trail => Cougar Pass Trail => AA (Anti-Aircraft) Ridge => Tibbetts Marsh Trail => W. Tibbetts => Bear Ridge

 Note: the trails around the Klondike and Tibbetts Marsh areas can be a bit confusing, I would suggest bringing this FREE MAP of the area with you on your hike.

This 5.3 mile hike is a good way to visit the inter-marsh area of Cougar Mountain, if you want some elevation gain (about 1,200 feet gain). It start from the very small (three car) turnout off SR 900. This is the same location as this hike. Green Maps shows the West Tibbetts Creek Trail as an alternate route up the mountain, but this trail seemed a bit overgrown and is not currently marked, instead follow the lone sign showing the way to the Bear Ridge Trail.

The Bear Ridge trail is not often traveled due to the limited parking, so its a nice mile or so of solitude along a old logging road with feeder creeks running nearby.

There is a new-ish sign showing a trail off to the right to access the Talus housing development. This might hook-up with the old West Tibbetts Creek trail, but I wasnt sure. In any case, continue uphill on the Bear Ridge Trail.

Soon you will reach the cool Fantastic Erratic Glacial Boulder, which offers a good view of the terrain below.

The trail soon meets with the West Tibbets Creek trail, head Left at this junction to start the loop of the Tibbetts Marsh area.

 

A narrow bridge crosses the West fork of Tibbetts creek. The water on all the creeks was running pretty well during this January weekend, providing for some nice background sounds.

The trek continues on the Tibbetts Marsh trail, which is a Left turn. This is a fairly busy area on the weekends so be prepared to see some runners, dogs and fellow hikers. After a quick 0.3 miles, turn Right on the Cougar Pass Trail. Then after a very quick 0.1 mile, you will reach the "Cougar Pass" area, turn Right on the "AA" Ridge trail (which stands for Anti-Aircraft trail).

The Anti-Aircraft Ridge Trail is a very "cougar mountain" type of trail. It offers it all: Marshes, Evergreen trees, ferns, some water along the trail and a decent trail surface.

 

 

The AA trail meets with the Lost Beagle Trail, stay on the AA trail to the Right. After a very shot distance, turn Right on the Tibbetts Marsh Trail. At this point you are very close to the Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead.

The Tibbetts Marsh trail continues slightly downhill into the Tibbetts Marsh area.

In 2009, we worked with the WTA to improve parts of the trail, it was good to see the drain ditches, and new higher trail are still in great shape.

 

The Tibbetts Marsh trail meets with the West Tibbetts Creek Trail to return you back down the mountain to the start of the hike. 

A nice 5+ mile hike for those wanting a bit of elevation gain during the winter. The trails around the Marsh area can be popular but the solitude of the Bear Ridge Trail makes this a nice hike. If you are looking for a more basic hike without much elevation gain, the Tibbetts Marsh Loop can be accessed from the popular Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead.

Tibbetts Marsh Loop

Map your trip with EveryTrail


Basics:
Area - Talus Open Space / Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (Near Issaquah,Washington)
Trails - (Trail Map)
Length - 5.3 miles lollipop - Two and half-hour easy hike (moderate uphill on the first mile)
Trail - Lollipop, dirt trail, limited stops along the way. Well marked and maintained.
Bikes - Not allowed on this hike
View - Not really any true "views" but there are some interesting spots along the hike
Getting There - Google Map
Fee- None, free very limited parking
Other Trails - tons! Slightly shorter, but similar hike: Bear Ridge Trail

Russian Ridge

Hike Route: Ridge Trail => Ancient Oaks Trail => Mindego Trail => Bay Area Ridge Trail=> Ridge Trail

The hike mentioned in this book is a very easy 3.6 miles and provides for some great views of the Bay and looking West toward the Coastal Mountains and even peeks of the Pacific Ocean.  However, as mentioned below there are a couple different routes you can take in this park-- check out the full trail map, here. During May, the ridge area is full of wildflowers. Access is very easy right off Highway 35 and is very close to other OSP parks including the Monte Bello Preserve and the Skyline Ridge Preserve.

The trailhead is located right at the Parking Lot which fits about 20 cars. There is a pit toilet in the parking lot, but no running water. The parking lot is gated and is only open between dawn and one-half hour after sunset. Sometimes the Park Rangers are a bit slow to open the gate at dawn. There is a another way to access this hike loop at the Vista Point parking lot about a mile North (toward SF) on Skyline Blvd (Highway 35).

This is a mixed use trail, so be prepared for mountain bikes and maybe horses on the trails. The trail is very well maintained with hard packed dirt and just a couple soft/wet spots along the way.

The Ridge trail (part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail) is the only access trail from the trailhead, follow it up the ridge enjoying the views along the way. After about half a mile, turn Left at the first intersection marked with "To Ancient Oaks Trail". This part of the trail opens up on to a wider dirt road with great views of the area around Alpine Road.

 

After 0.8 miles, you reach an intersection with a smaller trail. The marker/sign is a bit confusing, but turn right on the more narrow trail toward the Ancient Oaks Trail. (Otherwise you will run into a deadend on Alpine Road as I did the first time).

Enjoy more views looking Southwest including the area of the Portola Redwoods State Park.

 

About 1.2 miles, the trail goes into the Ancient Oaks area. This is a great shaded area with some very old and majestic live Oaks. Ignore the trail junction to the right, after entering the area, continue straight on the Ancient Oaks trail.

 

The trail continues to gently desend into more a densely wooded area. At the junction with Mindego Trail, continue to the right. Note: The Mindego trail offers a 4.6 out-and-back spur if you looking for additional hiking. It deadends into a closed area.  

 

The Mindego Ridge trail passes a couple springs which feed into the Mindego Creek below. No real water/creek views, but its nice to hear the trickle of water along the trail.

 

At the next junction, continue to the right on the Mindego trail up the hill - about a 200 foot elevation gain.

 

 

After reaching the top of the ridge, there is a slightly confusing sign and junction where the Ridge Trail, Mindego Trail, Vista Point access trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail all meet in one area. Keep the right at the main intersection, then turn right on the smaller trail.

 

This area is where I saw a Coyote sitting on the trail looking at the hillside below. Its another great spot to enjoy the views to the West.

 

After rejoining the parallel trail, there is a very small trail leading up a ridge which offers great 360 degree views of the area. The trail is for hikers only, so its less traveled and a bit less defined than other trails in the park. After enjoying the views head back down to the Ridge Trail to continue the hike back to the trailhead.

 

Even on a hazy/Cloudy day the area provides for some great views of the Peninsula, Stanford University and even Mt Diablo across the Bay.

 

The Ridge trail continues back down to the parking lot and trailhead. You can also access Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve from this parking lot.

 

Its a nice easy hike and the 3.6 miles seems to go by very fast. There are some other points of interest and trails in the area that you don't get to see on this hike including Borel Hill (2,572 feet elevation - the highest peak in San Mateo County). In addition, some of the other trails in the park (Alder Spring, Hawk, Mindego, etc) would make nice spur routes for a longer overall hike. That being said, this is a nice hike with lots of views with minimal elevation gain along the way.

GPS Tracking:

Russian Ridge

Map your trip with EveryTrail

Map:


View Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve in a larger map

Basics:
Area - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District - Russian Ridge Open Space Reserve
Map - Reserve Map

Length - Easy 3.6 miles

Trail - Mixed use dirt road and trails

Dogs - Not allowed
Bikes - Yes

View - Almost all view, looking west and east
Getting There -  Page Mill Road West from 280 up to Skyline Blvd (Highway 35). Cross the Skyline Blvd, the parking lot and trailhead are on the right.
Fee- None, free parking. There is an alternate parking area about a mile north on Highway 35.
Weather - Cool mornings, can be windy on the ridges.

Other Trails - there are other trails within this park. Trail map at the main Trailhead, but bring a printout if you want to explore the other trails. The north end of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve can be accessed from this parking lot via a small tunnel under Alpine Road.

Squak Mtn - West Access Trail

Hike Route: West Access Trail (from SR 900) => Chybinski Trail => Perimeter Loop Trail => sidetrail to Debbie's View

Nice hike for those close to Cougar and Squak Mountains. It offers a nice view to the South, but only after climbing over 1300' in elevation and hiking 2.3 miles. The trails are of the usual Issaquah Alps variety -- lots of Maple Vines, Ferns, Mossy trees and almost always plenty of green. Just one or two long distance views until you reach Debbie's View.  A more complete Squak Mtn hike is mentioned on page 84 of the book 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles.

Access is not the best for this hike: The dirt/muddy parking "spot" is very small (2 cars - maybe) and its not the easiest turn off SR900. If you miss it or just want easier parking just park at the Squak Mountain Connector Trailhead turnoff.

The trail starts right from this parking spot and heads to the left up the Mountain. This is the Northwest side of the Mountain and this whole area can be a bit frosty since it doesnt see much sun except at high-noon during the summer.

 

The West Access trail doesnt seem to see much traffic, the old logging road is wide but the trail on the road can be narrow in parts. There are some large drain ditches on some parts of the trail, not sure if these were overbuilt or actually needed for real rainy days.

 

The West Access trail is almost all uphill for about a mile. There are some peek-a-book views of Cougar Mountain and Lake Washington - plus an abandoned old car off the trail.

 

There are a couple feeder creeks along the West Access Trail that head down to Tibbetts Creek. No big creeks to cross, but one very "Northwest" bridge over one of the larger feeder creeks.

 

The West Access Trail runs into the Coal Mine trail (which heads toward the Mountainside Drive trailhead). Keep to the RIGHT and stay on the West Access Trail. Along this part of the hike, I ran into two raccoons climbing a tree.

 

Soon after passing the Coal Mine trail intersection, there is an intersection with the Chybinski Loop Trail. Keep the RIGHT on the Chybinski trail. 

 

The Chybinsky Trail is a much more forgiving trail with more gentle inclines up and around the Mountain. The trail is a bit more narrow, but its still well packed and well maintained. There is a very nice dip into a creek-crossing which breaks up the constant uphill from the previous part of the hike.

 

This trail also offers some backwards views to the Northeast looking at the Issaquah Highlands area and the Cascades behind them.

As you continue around the mountain, you pass the Block House off to the left.

 

At this point the trail opens up a bit and heads slightly downhill toward the three-way intersection with the West Peak and Perimeter Loop trails. Just keep to the RIGHT on the "Loop" trail.

 

This section of the Loop trail is very easy and meanders a bit through the woods. Its a bit narrow but again well defined and established. Along the Loop trail there is a unmarked sidetrail off to the right.

 

This sidetrail leads to "Debbie's View" to the South with views of Mt Rainier, Ceder River Area, even West toward the Sound. The view is almost 180 degrees with views of the Cascades to the Southeast. Its a great viewpoint and endpoint after a 1,300 foot elevation gain.

 

Just return the way you came to reach the West Access Trailhead - keep to the Left at all intersections along the way down.

Not a bad hike for locals in the area - There is a good viewpoint, but otherwise the hike is a bit typical for the area without offering anything really special.

View West Access Trailhead in a larger map

Basics:
Area - Cougar-Squak Mtn. Corridor (King Co.) / Squak Mtn. State Park Natural Area
Trails - West Access Trail (from SR 900), Chybinski Trail, Perimeter Loop Trail, sidetrail to Debbie's Viewpoint
Map - Green Trails Map: Cougar / Squak Mountains Map 203S
Length - 4.6 miles out and back - Moderate Hike (about 1,300' Elevation gain)
Trail - Dirt trail on old logging roads
Dogs - On leash
Bikes - No
Views - Some views on Chybinski Loop Trail, Mt Rainier View on sidetrail
Getting There - On SR 900 close to Wilderness Creek Trailhead
Other Trails - Lots
Facilities - None
Fee - No fee - (Donate to the WTA)

Preston-Snoqualmie Trail

Route: Preston-Snoqualmie Trail (From Lake Alice Road Parking lot to Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint)

Just to be clear - this is a very easy walk (not really a traditional "hike"). I found this trek in this book. It seemed intreging since it offers a different view point of Snoqualmie Falls -- different from the sometimes overrun main public viewpoint near the Salish Lodge.

This walk starts across the street from the ample Parking Lot right off Lake Alice Road. This former railroad right-of-way makes for a wide paved path -- no dirt or narrow trails.



The trail is fairly mundane and doesnt really provide for many special views except for a couple spots opened due to powerlines or large ravens on either side of the trail.



There are a couple other dirt trails connecting off the paved trail on the up-hill slope. These include the unmarked Deep Creek trail which connects in two places. The Deep Creek trail does reach Whitaker Park Valley viewpoint, which might have good views of the valley and Fall City.




After 1.8 miles (one-way), you reach the viewpoint for the Falls. There are a couple benches here to enjoy the view. The view is slightly disappointing, since there are some trees in the way and the falls are some distance to the East.



Even with a 5x zoom - its hard to make out Snoqualmie Falls in these photos - the white around the falls is frost and ice from some record cold weather recently. Mount Si is in the background, which might make a very good photo on a clear day.

Its a better view in person, but dont expect the close up views like at the main viewpoint near Salish Lodge.

That being said, its a nice very easy walk and provides for a "different" view of the falls.




Overall a "ok", but slightly boring trek (until you reach the falls) with very limited views and a lack of other things to keep your interest. Not the best hike, but its off-the beaten path and shows a different side of the Falls. Good for folks who want a very easy hike without any elevation gain.


Map:


View Preston-Snoqualmie Trail in a larger map

Basics:
Trail- Preston-Snoqualmie Trail
Map - King County Regional Trail Map, Green Trails Map: Rattlesnake Mountain No. 205s
Length - 3.6 miles out and back - Very Easy Hike (maybe 100' Elevation gain)
Trail - Wide paved multi-use path
Dogs - On leash
Bikes - Yes
Views - Views of Snoqualmie Falls at the end of 1.8 miles
Getting There - From Seattle - Exit 22 on I-90, turn Left off the freeway crossing over the freeway. Turn Right on Preston-Fall City Road SE (note the 25 MPH zone). After about 4 miles turn Right on Lake Alice Road SE. Continue up Lake Alice Road until reaching the paved parking lot on the right.
Other Trails - From the parking lot side the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail continues back to the town of Preston.
Facilities - there a restroom at the trailhead parking lot - there is no bathroom at the viewpoint.
Fee - No fee (Donate to the WTA)

Mt Washington (Snoqualmie Pass)

Hike Route: John Wayne Pioneer trail => Mt Washington Trail

Update 22Nov - per recent reports, the upper part of this hike is now snow covered.

This 10 mile hike is not mentioned in most hiking books. A sightly outdated description is done by Manning in this book. I had mixed emotions about doing this hike since others seem to have different hike reports about how to actually reach the Mt Washington Peak.

Some mention using the Great Wall Trail (more on this later), while others seem to say "its easy to find your way". All of this made me a bit nervous about getting lost (or discouraged) on the way up.

In any case, once your find the start, the trail is marked at most junctions -- with helpful rock stacks at others, left by other friendly hikers.

This is a steep hike - it gains 3,400 in elevation along the 5 miles up to the peak. Its probably not for kids and dont expect any views until you reach Owl Hike Spot -- 2 miles up. The trail surface is mostly loose rock for the first 4 miles.



The trailhead is on the South side of the very large parking lot. There is a bathroom and donation box as well here at the trailhead. Take the trail up toward the John Wayne Pioneer trail, upon reaching the road keep to the right. After passing the sign below, look to the left for the start of the trail.

The trail from the John Wayne trail is unmarked - so its easy to miss.

The uphill trek begins almost right away. The trail is a bit rock and steep in parts -- not the best trail surface, but its not too bad. Be sure to wear boots to save your ankles.


After passing some cool rock cliffs and caves, the first intersection is marked with "MT WA" to the right.


The first two miles is almost all long uphill stretches.


After about 2 miles (and 1,600 of feet elevation gain), you reach Owl Hike Spot. It takes about 2 hours to get to this point at 2800 feet elevation. There is a bench here and a clear view of North Bend and Rattlesnake Ledge. Folks may reach this point and decide they have had enough of the uphill grind and turn back down the mountain.


I decided to continue on to the summit. After the Owl Hike Spot, you start to notice some really well done trailwork.

Just a short distance from the Owl Hike Spot, you will reach the junction with the Great Wall Trail and the route toward Mt. Washington. Other reports say the Great Wall trail adds a three hours to your trek to the peak. I decided to keep to the right and continue on the shorter route to Mt. Washington.

After the junction, there is a small creek to cross. While its fast running, its easy to cross via the rocks in the middle.


The next intersection is at the pond in the basin of the mountain.


Take the route to the Left, marked by this nice rock stack on the site.

The upper part of this hike opens up a bit with great views of the surrounding Snoqulmie Pass Mountains.


There is a rock slide to cross along the way -- plus some great views of Mount Si and other views to the North and West. Dont bother looking for the Peak on you way up -- the trail rounds the mountain in a way where you can't really see the Peak until you are right on it.

Almost at the top, there was a very cool lookout point looking toward the North.


After a final steep uphill, the new trail connects with the original trail to the Peak of Mt. Washington. At the top are a couple great viewpoints in all directions.

It was a fairly gray day -- with an approaching storm, so my views were great but a bit dark. Mt Rainier can be seen from here, but was obscured by clouds.



There were also great views of Chester Morse lake and the Ceder river watershed area.

I wasnt able to find the connection with the Great Wall trail that others have mentioned at the top of the Mountain. So I just turned back and went back down the Mt Washington Trail toward the parking lot.

Good not-so-popular hike with fantastic views on clear days. The new work on this trail is really well done - kudos for those that made it happen.

Map:

View Mt Washington Trail in a larger map

Basics:
Area - Twin Falls Natural Area/Olallie State Park
Trail - Mt Washington Trail
Map - Green Trails Map: Bandera No. 206 (also - 206S) - both maps didnt seem to have the new trail
Length - 10 miles out and back - Moderate Hike (about 3,400' Elevation gain)
Trail - Rocky but established trail, steep with long uphills.
Dogs - On leash
Bikes - No
Views - Views after reaching 2,800 feet
Getting There - From Seattle - Exit 38 on I-90, turn right off the freeway. Turn Right again on the dirt road to the large parking lot.
Other Trails - Great Wall Trail, John Wayne Pioneer trail
Facilities - there a restroom at the trailhead parking lot
Fee - No fee, but there is a donation box - (Donate to the WTA)

Help Build Bay Area Ridge Trail - Nov 7

2nd Annual REI - Ridge Trail Service Day is Saturday November 7

Each and every Bay Area REI store will partner with a local park agency, land trust or open space district to build, improve, or restore a local section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. With REI supporting an additional project in Napa (where there is no store), we'll have 11 different volunteer work parties on the Ridge Trail, with over 300 volunteers out maintaining this regional trail on a single day.

The event is free, but advance on-line registration is required to help manage each trail work project. Last year all the projects filled to capacity in advance & we hope to fill them again.

No experience necessary; tools and supervision provided. Projects vary at each site. Morning refreshments provided by REI, Peets Coffee & Tea, and the Council.

To get more information on each project, CLICK HERE, or call the Council at 415.561.2595.

More about the ridge trail: http://ridgetrail.org/index.cfm

Northwest Hiking Books

I own each of these books for hiking around the Seattle Area. Some of the books do overlap with others on popular hikes, but all the books offer their own view and thoughts on the hikes.

There have been a number of hike route improvements in the recent years. This includes the new Ira Spring Trail (2003), New parking lot for Little Si and Rattlesnake Ledge trail route to name a few, so its best be sure to check the publish date on the book to make sure you have the most recent edition.

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Seattle: Including Bellevue, Everett, and Tacoma my current go-to book for local hiking on new trails. Its second edition was updated this year (August 18, 2009). The trail maps and route info are very well done -- plus it offers a number of Eastside hikes often not found in local hiking books.



Take a Hike Seattle: Hikes Within Two Hours of the City is my second favorite book for finding good hikes around Seattle. It was one of the first books to have a good map -plus- route information. Since it was published its starting to get a bit out of date - example the Tiger Mountain Big Loop hike on page 56 had a route that is under some redevelopment work. Otherwise, this book has great information about hikes around Seattle.




Beyond Mount Si: The Best Hikes Within 85 Miles of Seattle is a true Hikers book with 70 hikes included in this one small book. The book has the basics: Very good maps, "how to get there" info and some turn by turn directions. The trek descriptions are short -- but very focused on what's important. Its a great book, but starting to get a little out of date -- as it was printed in 2004. Hopefully, a second edition is coming soon.



Day Hike! Central Cascades: The Best Trails You Can Hike in a Day is one of those books that could have been much better. Its got all the great hikes, nice layout, plenty of the basics covered -- but the Maps are pretty disappointing. I am sure it was a good intent, but the maps in this book look like photocopies of b&w topo maps with the hike route drawn on top. Its hard to explain, but the end result is a not so easy to read/view map on many of the hikes. Plus some of the photos are just poor. My copy was from 2005, maybe the newest edition is better.


55 Hikes Around Snoqualmie Pass: Mountains to Sound Greenway was written by some Seattle hiking pioneers Harvey Manning and Ira Spring (photographer). This book was written in 2001 so it has some outdated information. It is a good book but often focuses more on trail planning in the area with a number of "proposed" trails.