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Location: Issaquah
Total distance, round trip: 2 miles
Season: year-round
I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised with the Tiger Mountain Big tree. It is measures out at just about 200' and 8' in diameter while sitting in a nice forest of older second growth and a few old growth trees. This is the type of tree that gives perspective to the fact that our 'big trees' were the little ones the loggers like Wood and Iverson (who logged Tiger Mountain using trains for their mill in Hobart) left behind.
This is an easy hike, close to Seattle, and usable year round. The Tiger Mountain Big Tree sits on the Tradition Lake Plateau just above Sunset Way in Issaquah. You can get there in one of two ways:
1. From the Tradition Plateau Trailhead: Park at the main trailhead parking off of I-90 Exit 20, High Point Way (if you haven't been here before, the main trailhead is up the dirt road past where the cars are parked you can see from the highway, they are parked for the Cable Trail). From the parking area hike West along the Puget Power Trail (under the power lines) until just before the large substation (about .6 miles). There are two power line roads to the right, take the second one and in about a quarter mile it drops into a dip. There is a well-signed trail at the base, the swamp trail to the right and the Big Tree trail to the left. The tree is a quarter mile to your left.
2. From the parking lot on Sunset Way: You have to go up the steep hill coming from this direction. Park at the base of the off ramp. Walk back up the ramp to the clearly marked, ornate sign to the Tradition Plateau. Hike up the hill, turn left when you reach the trail under the power lines. Turn left again at the next main trail, then take a quick right on the Big Tree trail. Less than one mile in each direction with a steep hill.
