South Tiger Mountain Loop
At the south end of Tiger Mountain State Forest is a classic loop hike that is perfect for days when higher hills are cloudy or just too snowy. Several knobs in the forest make for good objectives, as is completing the loop. Know that this area is often changing with numerous timber sales over the years. Trails are often shifted around before or after the timber sales. Unfortunately, some of the best forest has been lost and what remains looks to be cut in 2024 or 2025. I love a good timber harvest but not at Tiger Mountain. The trail can be a loop or a figure 8. Much of the trail is within earshot of Highway 18, so it can be noisy, keep expectations low and you will have a good time.
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South Tiger Benchmark
The trail goes over the top but just off the trail at the highest point hidden in fallen trees is the benchmark. I remember visiting 23 years prior when the benchmark was in a nice forest and there was a massive register of names.
Access
Find your way to the Issaquah-Hobart Road. From I-90 in Issaquah, it is 8.5 miles to Tiger Mountain Road SE. From Highway 18, its right near the exit overpass. Drive up Tiger Mountain Road SE for 0.2 miles and look for all the parking on the left side of the road. No parking pass needed. The hike starts across the road and is signed Tiger Mountain Trail.
Summit Elevation: 2,028 feet
Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet
Hiking Distance: 8.7 miles
Access: Paved
Summit of South Tiger Benchmark in 2012 before harvest
Summit of South Tiger Benchmark before timber harvest
Trail just before Hobart Gap
Trailhead from the parking area
Road section
Hobart Gap sign now gone
In the clouds
South Tiger Traverse trail before the harvest 2012
Summit benchmark 2012
Large stump (still there) with face marking was the old start of the trail to the top
Summit of South Tiger Benchmark after timber harvest, looking to highpoint
View west from the powerlines 2024
Some things to see:
South Tiger Mountain
South Tiger Cub (Carol Hapke Memorial)
Aerial Cut
One of the main summits for those seeking all the highpoints in the forest like West, East and Middle Tiger. There is now a nice new dead-end trail that climbs to the summit where you will find a fire pit and hitching post for horses.
This short somewhat secret trail climbs a knob to a decaying picnic site and horse hitching post. She was a horse person who lived in Issaquah and died in 2002.
This is the most southern bump in the State Forest. No trail, just a location for peakbaggers. A timber harvest will be crossing the summit, so maybe a view will open up for a few years to enjoy.
South Tiger Traverse trail after the harvest year 2024
Summit benchmark 2024
Carole Hapke lunch area
Road section near the north end of the loop
Some of the route
