Poo Poo Point Trail -- Issaquah Alps

Poo Poo Point is the quintessential "I just moved to the Seattle area, where should I hike?" hike. It's probably the best closest-to-Seattle hike with some of the best views on a trail that close to the city. Downtown Seattle to the trailhead is only about 30 minutes. Are there better hikes a little further aways? Sure. But Poo Poo is pretty great too. 

Trailhead sign at the start of the Chirico Trail

 

Poo Poo Point is on the western face of Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah Alps, the aptly named mountainous region in the Issaquah, WA area. What about Poo Poo Points name? 

The name Poo Poo has its roots in the logging steam whistles of the past. I do suppose Poo Poo could sound like a steam whistle in the greatest of onomatopoeias but Choo Choo works just as well....right? I mean trains make almost the same sound?? You do you, loggers.

Poo Poo Point has an added feature. People don't just hike it. They also jump off of it. And survive. It's a popular paragliding spot. If you're lucky enough you might see them in the air when you pull into the trailhead, or better yet, you might be able to catch them jumping off the point when you get up to the top!

Don't get hit by a landing glider! You can see this sign near the start of the Chirico trail. It is close to a landing field for the paragliders!

 

The first time we went it was early fall, kind of chilly, and off and on raining. Nevertheless, there were paragliders in the sky. More recently when we went, the weather was PERFECT. Not a glider in the sky. I'm not a paraglider, so I don't know specifics, but I totally would've preferred to paraglide in the beautiful weather, no?

Here's a view from the first time we went. You can't see much of anything! Still nice though.

 

There are a few ways to get to Poo Poo Point. There is a ''okay" sized parking lot off of Issaquah-Hobart Rd SE.

 On a beautiful day the parking lot WILL fill up and it gets rather cramped in there. There was traffic backing up into the road this last time I went. The plus side is, there are some porta potties at the parking lot for those with small bladders like myself. If you do start your hike from here, you will be taking the Chirico Trail up to the point. It is almost exactly 4 miles out and back and you'll gain about 1640 feet in just that short amount of time. For that reason, it's fairly exhausting. It's constant elevation gain for almost the entire trek up, so bring water and rest often if you aren't super in shape! You will be rewarded for your efforts. 

Another options is to do Poo Poo Point via the High School Trail. 

 There is a small gravel parking lot here that can fit MAYBE 6 cars. This was full when we got here. We ended up parking on the street , which was thankfully available. You briefly enter the hike on the Rainier Trail which splits off onto the High School Trail. The High School Trail then eventually links up to the Poo Poo Point trail which you can take to the top. This hike is significantly longer at around 6.6 miles, and does have a slight bit more elevation gain, nearly 1800, but it's definitely more gradual than the Chirico Trail. We did this trail on out second visit. I much preferred it as there was more to see on the way up. I will mostly chronicle this trail, since it was there was more to see, and it was a MUCH nicer day!

At the alternate trailhead, explaining the trails of the Issaquah Alps

Stinky Bob, or herb Robert, or whatever you want to call this. It's all over. Considered a noxious weed, but hey, it looks cool.

Holy Holly!

Apparently we came on a day there was a trail running race through the Issaquah Alps trails. Good for them!

The beginning journey to Poo Poo on the High School Trail portion. This portion of the trail is very easy. Scenic. Pretty forests.

These two trees were holding limbs. Holding on for dear life hoping to not be eroded.

A nice little stream, it flows under the trail with the assistance of a metal pipe.

What's the source of this anyway? Should I drink it? Maybe with a lifestraw.

Bring your hat! The trail opens up as you come towards the meeting point of the High School Trail and Poo Poo Point trail.

Let's goooooo

The Trail continues back into the forest. This time an even more concentrated intense green.

Wildlife? Yeah we got it. There's a snail on the trail! There was a slug on the trail too, but it seemed someone stepped on it. I'll spare you the image on that one.

A bridge crossing? Gladly

A little waterfall on the trail too! Water features, you won't find THIS on the Chirico trail!

This trillium is doing its best

A big field of flowers as we're nearing the top

Hey look! Bathrooms at the top! Convenient!

It was a great day to make it to the top! Stunning Lake Sammamish and even the skyline of Bellevue is clear as day. No that's not Seattle, if you squint hard enough, you can see a small part of Seattle from up here

Hey! You can see Mt Baker from here! Incredible!

Wait, you can see the Olympic Mountains too?! Super awesome!

Well I guess that must be it. What a cool hike and so many great views! Wait, what? There's more? Oh.

From the top of Poo Poo Point you can continue on DOWN a small portion of the Chirico trail, even if you came up the other way. It leads to the South Launch Pad area where paragliders can take off. From there you can see...

Mt. Rainier! A perfect view point. And an excellent area to lay in the grass and have a water and snack break, as we did. Don't skip coming over here to see this viewpoint! It's awesome!

Thank you for not killing us today!

The surrounding hillside is gorgeous too.

Ah the sporing stage of a dandelion. Urge to kick...high. And so I did. Gotta spread those spores. Dandelions are good.

The second time coming here during good weather was like night and day. I see why this is such a popular hike now. Awesome views, beautiful area!

Now that I'm not killing myself uphill I can relax and check out the flowers on the way back down. I'm not sure what this guy is but kind of looks like a creeping barberry.

This western trillium is doing well!

Be still my beating heart, it's bleeding hearts!

Fiddleheads. So many fiddleheads.

Well this hike is now water under the bridge. But what a great day it was!

Formula Brewing

I always see this place right off of I-90 while we're driving around to other hikes in the area, because there are SO MANY great hikes right off of I-90. We finally decided to jump in and try it after the hike. Parking was a bit silly, but we managed.

We had a lager or two

Sat outside in the beating sun

And watched dogs do dog things until it was time to leave

I highly recommend this hike to anyone. I'll leave you with some toilet humor. "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie". Incredible.

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Hiking The Boulder River Trail and Wilderness

We always start our day with a coffee. Don't be weird about it, coffee is great, and a great start to a hike. Prior to our drive out to the Boulder River Wilderness we grabbed some big ol' vats of coffee. We loaded up the car and THRAK WHACK SPLOOSH. A coffee met its tragic end in the apartment parking garage before ever even meeting the lips of its energize-ee. We had to embarrassingly trudge back and explain ourselves. "Hey we were just in here and uh... we need another one...it spilled". A new one was happily made free of charge. How's that for service. 

We then ACTUALLY made the trek from Seattle to the Boulder River Wilderness. It was about a 90 minute drive for us so we settled in, drank our coffee, and listened to some good music. Part of the reason I picked this hike is, because the pictures looked beautiful, but because I was fascinated with the story of Oso, Washington. I was not living in Washington at the time, but in 2014, Oso, Washington experienced the deadliest landslide in American history. The news stations were talking about it nonstop recently because of its 10 year anniversary. I can't believe I never heard about this before. Driving to this hike took us along State Route 530 where the landslide in Oso took place. While we didn't have time to go to the memorial, seeing the mountainside from the road, that literally sloughed off and rushed into the valley was pretty wild. And terrifying. 

Not far after Oso, you pull onto National Forest road 2010. This is where things get tricky. It's not a maintained road. The potholes are killer. Thankfully we upgraded from a Honda Accord to a Subaru which took it in stride, but we were still bouncing around like crazy. For 3 straight miles. In fact.. there are no bathrooms at the trailhead. They're along the national forest road a few miles before the trailhead. Likely so that service workers don't have to traverse the potholes just to maintain the vault toilet. 

It's a bumpy ride, but a BEAUTIFUL ride. Picture from the forest road.

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Hiking Dirty Harry's Balcony Trail

Hey kids, want to come to Dirty Harry's Balcony? With a name like that who couldn't resist this hike? Honestly, the name is what first intrigued me. Heck of a name there. I'm trying to think like...was the movie Dirty Harry shot around here? Did Clint Eastwood climb this mountain and we were trying to thank him? No, Harry was simply a man who logged the area back in the day and had a questionable background. Questionable enough, to earn him the Dirty Harry moniker. Thanks for not logging the entire thing, Harry, your balcony and peak is a place of beauty! 

Dirty Harry's Balcony is a shorter but beautiful-still hike of the full Dirty Harry's Peak. The most commonly hiked path is Dirty Harry's Balcony via Birdhouse Trail which is what we did today. It's been a long week at work, so this was a perfect hike. Not too long or grueling, but awesome views to soak in. You're looking at less than 5 miles, maybe 4.5 out and back, and almost 1300 feet of elevation gain. Nothing terrible right? 

This is yet another awesome hike right off of I-90 and easily accessible from Seattle and surrounding communities.  It's only a 40-45 minute drive from Seattle. Yay! It's a super popular hike, but there's actually several climbing areas as well, if you're into that! We saw dudes at the trailhead unpacking all of their climbing gear from their trunk, so it's definitely a thing.

I was worried because on our drive in it was cloudy and foggy, despite forecasts saying it was going to be sunny for the day. Wouldn't you know it as we're driving through North Bend the weather really starts to clear up. It was meant to be. 

At the trailhead there are bathrooms, so fret not. While your partner, or friends use the toilet, use that time to put your discover pass in your window. You'll need it here. 

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Easter Hike on Oyster Dome and Lily Lake

Oyster Dome to Lily Lake

We've apparently unofficially made it a point to do a decent sized hike on Easter apparently. Like most holidays, Easter isn't one we really celebrate, so we use it as an excuse to get a good first spring hike in. Our very first spring hike together was Rickett's Glenn in Pennsylvania back in 2017! In fact it was my first time actually hiking in general. Sure I played in the woods as a child, but never "hiking". It definitely made an impression on me. Then once COVID started there was that desperate need to get out and do something, so hiking and getting outside became my new favorite thing to do. Haven't stopped since. Anyway...

It was a beautiful day to drive up to northwestern Skagit County for a hike. Those Bellinghammers are lucky to have such beautiful places so close to them. This is only like 30 minutes south of Bellingham. We had to drive nearly an hour and a half from Seattle. 

Our walking map from the trails. About 9 ish miles and 1550 feet of elevation gain overall.

 

In the Blanchard State Forest on Blanchard Mountain sits Oyster Dome. There are numerous trails in the area surrounding Oyster Dome. We started from the Blanchard Mountain Upper Trailhead. There is an Oyster Dome trailhead if that is your only destination, but we wanted a longer hike and wanted to visit Lily Lake as well. As such we took the Lily Lake Trail which links up with the Pacific NW trail.

There was a vault toilet at the Blanchard Mountain Upper trailhead, thankfully! Those who pound a coffee on the drive in will be rewarded! There are several other trails in this area, to get where we wanted we had to back track ever so slightly down the road we came. 

On our walk down the side of the road had flowing water and these cool Western Skunk Cabbage flowers growing in it!

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Tenerrife (Kamikaze) Falls Trail -- Washington

Hiking the Tenerrife Falls Trail

It's spring in Washington. Have I mentioned that yet? If you're going to do waterfall hikes now is the time. The rainy season is closing up, but we're still experiencing rain, snow is melting from the peaks of the mountains, all of this adds up to increased water flow rates. If you're looking for a good time for waterfalls, spring is it. I have a feeling it's going to be a very dry 2024 summer season in the PNW, so I'm glad we went here when we did. 

Parking Lot of the Trailhead

It's amazing how many excellent hikes are right off of I-90. Add this one to the list. It's right near Mt. Si near North Bend and the trailhead shares a parking lot with the main Teneriffe Mountain trail. You start on one trail and continue up the the mountain if you wish. I'm just here for the falls, man. The trailhead has a toilet, because you know I care, and I know some of you do to. AllTrails rates it at a hard, but I thought it was solidly moderate. It is roughly 6 miles out and back and a bit over 1600 feet in elevation gain throughout. 

 

King County runs a public transit option called the Trailhead Direct that can actually take you here from Seattle, which is great if you don't otherwise drive and/or would prefer public transportation. It has very limited operation though, really only weekends and holidays during the summer. But still. Cool that it exists! It takes you to Mt. Si, Little Si, and Teneriffe Mountain trailheads. It is otherwise roughly a 40 minute drive from Seattle. 

The start of the trail enters the forest at a slow and easy pace, very well padded down paths and little elevation. The first 1.5 miles is roughly only 450 feet of elevation gain. The elevation picks up in grade for about a half mile, then you begin to enter several switchbacks of more difficult elevation gain for almost a mile. It's all worth it! 

don't do this. for the love of god, do not do this

Peeks of mountain peaks begin to show through the trees on your journey

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May Creek Falls / Reiter Foothills Forest Trails

BIG DARK IS OFFICIALLY OVER! Fake spring has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. It's sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and 70 degrees each day on the weekend in mid-March. Everyone knows this won't last, because it is of course, false spring, and we'll be back to rain and cooler temps very soon. As such, everyone simultaneously jumped out of their puffy winter coats and into their hiking pants. Forget the Vitamin D pills today, we all can just get outside! 

Near the beginning of the trail

And get outside they did. We initially planned on going to Wallace Falls State Park to do the Wallace Falls trail. We knew it would likely be busy but we tried anyway. We aimed to get to the parking area of the trailhead around 10-ish. As we approached it was obviously we were already too late. There were signs a few roads away saying "WALLACE FALLS PARKING FULL". We continued on towards the trailhead because who knows, maybe someone left. Then we saw cars parking on the side of the road almost a half mile away from the parking lot. Not a good sign. Once we got to the parking lot...it was indeed full. And there were several cars circling around for a spot. We became engulfed in the circle dance of looking for a spot for only a brief moment before a State Park employee told us all to leave "There's no parking here!!". Well that sucks. We just drove in from Seattle.

 

Thankfully we're in Washington on Route 2, nonetheless. There's good hikes EVERYWHERE. We saw there was another trail not even a half mile away called May's Creek Trail so we headed over there. It's a really small parking area off of a short road near Gold Bar, WA.  There were maybe 7 or 8 other cars there, but if there wasn't we'd be a little weirded out parking there, it seemed almost like private land. And it wasn't marked well as trailhead parking either. There wasn't even really a trailhead sign. It's obvious that this is not a frequently traveled path! There are no bathrooms on site, FYI. Luckily I went at the Wallace Falls trailhead parking lot before we were pushed away.

Not far into the hike the trail crosses a logging road. Don't take the road, the trail continues beyond the road.

Reading previous reviews of the trail, it seems that there has been upgrades and that it used to be a bit sketchier in the past. Oh well, we enjoyed it!

This is a logging area. Thankfully there are areas designated to not be cut.

Interestingly enough, I can find VERY little information on the trail. I only found it because it was on AllTrails as being near Wallace Falls. In fact, it's one of the only sites I can find on google that mentions May Creek Falls Trail at all. I guess we found a cute gem of a jaunt? Other sites call it the Reiter Foothills Forest Trails. The Sky Valley Vista Trail is part of this whole system as well. So whatever it's called...it was cute.

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