Poo Poo Point

Sunday, July 26th
Elevation gain 1700 ft
Trail length: 4.5 miles one way

Time taken: 1 hr 35 minutes s on way up and 1 hr 10 on way down.

Level of difficulty: Medium

Poo Poo Point is perched atop the west precipice of the Tiger Mountain near Issaquah. It is a very popular launching point for para gliders and advanced (level 3) hang-gliders. On a sunny dry day traveling on I-90 East and before reaching the Issaquah exits, you will see them flying in the sky against the greenary of the forested Tiger mountain. The bald little patch you see in the mountain is the Poo Poo Point. Today I've o seen them in the act of launching into the air and rise further into the sky, climbing the thermals in a spiral movement. The 'thermals' are upward surge of warm air created by development activities- concrete surfaces and such. The gliders get a ride on a large truck that drives on a forest road onto the Poo Poo Point. There were a few non-gliders as well who hitched that ride and will likely walk down a hiking trail later.

The hiking trail was pretty quiet. I encountered only two groups of people while climbing up, and none on the return trip. The weather forecast for the day may have a part to play - it is supposed to be close to 90 degree Fahrenheit today. Even otherwise, I think very few perhaps venture out on this trail off the Issaquah High School campus. The trail is pretty much off the beaten path. It is a good mixture of steadily rising long segments, short switch-backs and intermittent level stretches, with a downward slope thrown is as well. Unlike other trails on the Tiger Mountain, it is away from the noise from the interstate highway and therefore provides a nice solitude, until you get to your destination of course, where you will expect to find some people hanging around.


More popular trails on the Tiger Mountains are the ones from High Point trail head. Most head from there to the West Tiger Mountain peaks.

There were quite a few people at the final destination when I arrived there. Most were the gliders - taking off one after the other. In a short time, all of them gliders were gone flying. Rest were occasional hikers - mostly young adults. As I started the return trip, another van load of gliders arrived.


More Pictures