Trip Report
Day Hike - Squak Mountain: Forest Rim Subdivision access
Jakob Two Trees, Bullitt Fireplace, Alpine Jelly Cones were today's treats. Trails on eastern slopes of Squak Mtn still not cleared. Route changed to stay west of Central Peak but still plenty of tree damage with most of it cleared from the trail.
Roseanne Lorenzana
- Fri, Mar 14, 2025
- Day Hike - Squak Mountain: Sycamore Access
- Squak Mountain: Sycamore Access
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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The group met at Issaquah Community Center – be aware that the Community Center parking lot has a 3 hr limit. However there is ample all-day parking nearby. From there, it was a 10 minute drive to our trailhead. Several muddy trail sections especially between Central Peak and Bullitt Fireplace. A few areas of treefall but easy to climb over or go around. Snow & icicles on vegetation & trees started at ~1500’ but by the end of our hike (around 12noon) snow melt dripped from the trees. At intersection of Central Peak trail and Old Griz Trail, posted sign says Old Griz trail is still closed.
Since we met at the Issaquah Community Center, it made sense to visit Jakob Two Trees, one of the six trolls in Way of the Bird King art installation. Just a 5 minute walk from the Comm Center. Then off to our hike. Our originally planned route starting at the Sycamore TH included sections on the eastern slope of Squak Mountain where extensive tree damage has not yet been cleared. Instead, we started from a trailhead in the Forest Rim subdivision that connected to the Bullitt Fireplace trail. From there, proceeded to Central Peak→Bullitt Fireplace→Perimeter trail→West Peak→Chybinski; then, back to our vehicle. A good route for a conditioner due to the interval-training-like profile of the up-down-flat-up-down-up-flat-down-up-down trail … sounds like a dance step and almost felt like that as we enjoyed the sun dappled, snow sprinkled forest while tromping along. 6 miles, 1500’ cumulative gain
