12-31-24
It
was New Year's Eve so that meant I needed to go hiking on Tiger Mt.
Since my first NYE trip on Tiger in 1983, this would be my 41st trip in
42 years. Gary and John signed on for the trip. We decided on a loop
over Tiger 1 and 2 with a very short drive between trailheads. We met
at High Point East at 7:35 am. Sunrise was at 7:57 am. Most of my
recent hikes have started before sunrise but when light enough not to
need a headlamp. I drove us over to the Preston Trailhead. We were on
the trail at 7:44 am. The rocky powerline road near the start is not
one of my favorite sections of trail. It has lots of uneven rocks to
walk on. Once onto real trail it is much better. There are several
creeks to cross on this route. I was hiking on Tiger the day before and
the creeks were running high. There was little or no snow up high for a
change at year end so I normally would not have brought poles. Because
of the water crossings I brought them. The first one was higher than
normal but just a rock hop across. We stopped at the junction with the
short cut. I wanted to get in all the miles I could on the last day of
the year.
Gary and I hiked up the Preston Trail via Dwight's Way just after the big wind storm in late November. We cut out some small logs and many branches across the trail. We heard some chainsaws behind us higher up the trail. This was the first time we saw results of all the work. The trail was in great shape. At the two mile marker we reached the Bootleg Trail junction. On our last trip we went straight. This time we turned left on the Bootleg Trail. When we came to the big stream crossing we took out our poles. The rocks were all wet and slippery. We carefully crossed with dry feet. The other few crossings were much shorter and easier. We noticed the old North Side Railroad Grade as we went by. Our next stop was the original Tiger Christmas Tree. It is far from any trailhead on a seldom used spur trail. I first noticed ornaments several decades ago. Someone in recent years has made it their job to remove any sign of ornaments. We arrived to find some ornaments on the tree this year. I was surprised to see it. We had a quick food and water break and headed on. This spot was also at the three mile mark. That gave me exactly 900 miles for the year.
Above about 2500' we saw a few open spots with fresh snow on the ground. It was white but not even an inch deep. On our tree cutting trip the top of the Preston Trail leading to the summit of Tiger 1 was buried under dozens of big down trees. It was impassible. We thought about taking the boot path tot he lower towers but decided to follow the Bootleg Trail to the Preston Trail to check it out. I did not think it would be cleared anytime soon. The last part of the Bootleg is in the open and there was now snow on the trail. All the brush was white withe snow too. Suddenly, it looked like a winter wonderland. Low and behold, the upper Preston Trail mess had been cleared. There are some tight spots where tree root balls pulled out of the ground and left big holes. One had a few logs across it. It was much better than the impassible trees. The near total overcast forecast was coming in but we had great views of the peaks as we ascended. The summit towers on Tiger 1 were now just above us. A break in the trees showed the summit of Tiger 2 with sunlit Olympic Mountain peaks above. I fell behind as I was taking a lot of photos. Near the ridge top road Mt. Baker and Three Fingers came into view. They too, were lit up by the morning sun.
We reached the ridge top just below the summit at 10:14 am. Now we could see Mt. Rainier tot he south as well as peaks to the north and east. It took just a minute or so to reach the summit. Seattle and Bellevue were now also in sight. Our summit break was for only seven minutes. I was slow heading down. The peaks were mostly lit up and that was not going to last. I took a lot of photos and one video. Gary and John were soon out of sight. It was 34F when we started and 34F on the summit. There was some sunshine but also a light breeze. It felt colder on top. Right across from the summit ridge is East Tiger Mountain. I was on top just a week ago. Behind it is Bandera Mountain above I-90 on the way to Snoqualmie Pass. All the peaks had a fresh coat of snow lighting them up. I finally left the ridge and headed towards the Poo Top Trail. At a big mess of down branchs we cut out on our earlier trip, I found the guys waiting for me. A few minutes later we were on the west side of Tiger 1 at the Hikers Hut.
So far, we had seen about 3 or so people. Our route was not among the most popular on Tiger. We had some more good views and photos from Tiger 1 then we began the steep descent on the way to Tiger 2. The snow was thing but a little slick. We had no trouble staying on our feet as it was less slick than it looked. At the low point we had another 250' to get up Tiger 2. The road is not as steep as on Tiger 1. We reached the top of Tiger 2 at 10:59 am. The towers of downtown Seattle were in the clear though the city below was in clouds. After a week of steady rain, including my hike the day before, it was great to be out in some sunshine. The fresh snow made it even better. These were great conditions for another New Year's Eve hike. We dropped down below the summit on the west side. We were out of the wind but also out of the sunshine. This was our lunch break. We were almost exactly 5 miles into our hike. It was cold enough that we were soon on our way down. We went into the shade and the wind went away. At 11:24 am we reached Tom's Crossing. Once back in forest the snow went away too.
The route down is one we do often, in daylight and with headlamps. We stayed on the Tiger Mountain Trail. Just above Ruth's Cove is the newer Christmas Tree. It had ornaments when the far less often original Christmas Tree was constantly stripped. The newer one was finally stripped about a year ago. It now has a few ornaments once again. We passed Ruth's Cove and continued down. I calculated that if we took the Lingering Trail near the end we could get the day up to 9 miles. So that is what we did. The day before the millions of sword ferns were drooping down into the trail with the weight of water. My pants were quickly soaked. This day they were all dry. It as so much better. The Lingering Trail went quickly. We popped out on the High Point Trail for the last half mile. We arrived back at the High Point East at 1:25 pm. Now we just had that short drive back to my car at Preston. With our early start we were done by early afternoon.
This is one tradition that I always enjoy. Sometimes on dry days like today and sometimes in rain and wind. It is a good way to finish off a year of hiking. We were very fortunate this time. As mentioned, it was mostly rain for the week before the hike. I have hiked with or run into many friends on these hikes. For the year I hiked 906 mile with 228,400' of elevation gain. This was my 15th consecutive years with at least 800 miles hiked. It was my 22nd consecutive year with at least 200,000' of gain. I hope I can keep it up for many more years.
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Trips - 2024
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Gary and I hiked up the Preston Trail via Dwight's Way just after the big wind storm in late November. We cut out some small logs and many branches across the trail. We heard some chainsaws behind us higher up the trail. This was the first time we saw results of all the work. The trail was in great shape. At the two mile marker we reached the Bootleg Trail junction. On our last trip we went straight. This time we turned left on the Bootleg Trail. When we came to the big stream crossing we took out our poles. The rocks were all wet and slippery. We carefully crossed with dry feet. The other few crossings were much shorter and easier. We noticed the old North Side Railroad Grade as we went by. Our next stop was the original Tiger Christmas Tree. It is far from any trailhead on a seldom used spur trail. I first noticed ornaments several decades ago. Someone in recent years has made it their job to remove any sign of ornaments. We arrived to find some ornaments on the tree this year. I was surprised to see it. We had a quick food and water break and headed on. This spot was also at the three mile mark. That gave me exactly 900 miles for the year.
Above about 2500' we saw a few open spots with fresh snow on the ground. It was white but not even an inch deep. On our tree cutting trip the top of the Preston Trail leading to the summit of Tiger 1 was buried under dozens of big down trees. It was impassible. We thought about taking the boot path tot he lower towers but decided to follow the Bootleg Trail to the Preston Trail to check it out. I did not think it would be cleared anytime soon. The last part of the Bootleg is in the open and there was now snow on the trail. All the brush was white withe snow too. Suddenly, it looked like a winter wonderland. Low and behold, the upper Preston Trail mess had been cleared. There are some tight spots where tree root balls pulled out of the ground and left big holes. One had a few logs across it. It was much better than the impassible trees. The near total overcast forecast was coming in but we had great views of the peaks as we ascended. The summit towers on Tiger 1 were now just above us. A break in the trees showed the summit of Tiger 2 with sunlit Olympic Mountain peaks above. I fell behind as I was taking a lot of photos. Near the ridge top road Mt. Baker and Three Fingers came into view. They too, were lit up by the morning sun.
We reached the ridge top just below the summit at 10:14 am. Now we could see Mt. Rainier tot he south as well as peaks to the north and east. It took just a minute or so to reach the summit. Seattle and Bellevue were now also in sight. Our summit break was for only seven minutes. I was slow heading down. The peaks were mostly lit up and that was not going to last. I took a lot of photos and one video. Gary and John were soon out of sight. It was 34F when we started and 34F on the summit. There was some sunshine but also a light breeze. It felt colder on top. Right across from the summit ridge is East Tiger Mountain. I was on top just a week ago. Behind it is Bandera Mountain above I-90 on the way to Snoqualmie Pass. All the peaks had a fresh coat of snow lighting them up. I finally left the ridge and headed towards the Poo Top Trail. At a big mess of down branchs we cut out on our earlier trip, I found the guys waiting for me. A few minutes later we were on the west side of Tiger 1 at the Hikers Hut.
So far, we had seen about 3 or so people. Our route was not among the most popular on Tiger. We had some more good views and photos from Tiger 1 then we began the steep descent on the way to Tiger 2. The snow was thing but a little slick. We had no trouble staying on our feet as it was less slick than it looked. At the low point we had another 250' to get up Tiger 2. The road is not as steep as on Tiger 1. We reached the top of Tiger 2 at 10:59 am. The towers of downtown Seattle were in the clear though the city below was in clouds. After a week of steady rain, including my hike the day before, it was great to be out in some sunshine. The fresh snow made it even better. These were great conditions for another New Year's Eve hike. We dropped down below the summit on the west side. We were out of the wind but also out of the sunshine. This was our lunch break. We were almost exactly 5 miles into our hike. It was cold enough that we were soon on our way down. We went into the shade and the wind went away. At 11:24 am we reached Tom's Crossing. Once back in forest the snow went away too.
The route down is one we do often, in daylight and with headlamps. We stayed on the Tiger Mountain Trail. Just above Ruth's Cove is the newer Christmas Tree. It had ornaments when the far less often original Christmas Tree was constantly stripped. The newer one was finally stripped about a year ago. It now has a few ornaments once again. We passed Ruth's Cove and continued down. I calculated that if we took the Lingering Trail near the end we could get the day up to 9 miles. So that is what we did. The day before the millions of sword ferns were drooping down into the trail with the weight of water. My pants were quickly soaked. This day they were all dry. It as so much better. The Lingering Trail went quickly. We popped out on the High Point Trail for the last half mile. We arrived back at the High Point East at 1:25 pm. Now we just had that short drive back to my car at Preston. With our early start we were done by early afternoon.
This is one tradition that I always enjoy. Sometimes on dry days like today and sometimes in rain and wind. It is a good way to finish off a year of hiking. We were very fortunate this time. As mentioned, it was mostly rain for the week before the hike. I have hiked with or run into many friends on these hikes. For the year I hiked 906 mile with 228,400' of elevation gain. This was my 15th consecutive years with at least 800 miles hiked. It was my 22nd consecutive year with at least 200,000' of gain. I hope I can keep it up for many more years.
 Hikers On Rocky Route |
 Mossy Forest |
 Easy Hiking |
 Big Creek Crossing |
 Original Christmas Tree |
 Blooming Foam Flower |
 Gary & John |
 Another Mossy Arch |
 Mushrooms |
 Snow Shadow? |
 Snowscape |
 Leaving Forest |
 Repaired Trail |
 Skirting Root Ball Hole |
 Cut Logs |
 Tiger 2 & Olympics |
 Small Icicle |
 Under Tiger 1 |
 Three Fingers Mountain |
 Bandera & Rattlesnake |
 East Rattlesnake Mt. |
 Summit Ahead |
 Seattle & Olympics |
 Fresh Snow Line |
 Mts. Teneriffe & Si |
 Glacier Pk & Mt. Index |
 Mt. Baker |
 Starting Down |
 Mt. Rainier |
 Descending From Tiger 1 |
 Downtown Seattle |
 Tiger 2 Is Ahead |
 Southern Olympics |
 The Brothers |
 Hikers On Tiger 3 |
 Looking East |
 From White To Green |
 Witches' Butter |
 Second Christmas Tree |
 More Mossy Trees |
 Hikers On The Trail |
 Dragon Log |
Trips - 2024
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