Chirico Trail 5/4/2011

James

One of the many friends we spotted along the way! We also spotted an eagle at the summit and a snake during descent.

Me

There were many wildflowers in bloom!

Our first view of Mt. Rainer

James, checking out the magnificent view.

The lower valley; note Mt. Rainer off to the left.

Snack time! James and Jennifer relaxing at the top.

Me and Mt. Rainer

One of the many paragliders we spotted.

Snake spotted along side of the trail on our descent....Can you find it?

Rainer captured through a break in the trees upon our descent.

More wildflowers!

The only water source spotted along the trail.

Jennifer

The trail head.

Tiger Mountain is widely known as a paraglider's paradise.

Me, packing up for the trail....making sure to have the ten essentials. Which really came in handy for treating the blister's to Jennifer's heels resulting from the breaking in on a new pair of Mountaineering boots.

Today some friends (James & Jennifer) and I headed up Chirico Trail to Poo Poo Point which is located on the western side of West Tiger Mountain. It was a beautiful clear sunny day for a hike with a great vantage point of Mt. Rainer and the Issaquah Valley. The trail switchbacks through an old growth Forrest with an elevation gain of 1650 ft over 1.8 miles where it reaches Poo Poo Point, a large grassy ridge that is cleared of trees and folliage. Poo Poo Point is a popular Paraglider jump site.
 

To get to the trail head from Seattle go east on I-90 to exit 17 (Front Street). Turn right off the freeway and travel 2.8 miles  (Front Street turns into Issaquah-Hobart Rd.) to the gravel parking area on the left just past the paragliding building. The trail head is across the field.

http://maps.google.com/maps

 Links:
http://seattlebackpackersmagazine.com/2011/04/03/chirico-trail/
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/ten+essentials.html
http://www.lnt.org/

Note: The pictures of me were taken by my dear friend James to whom I am very grateful.