Poo Poo Point

Poo Poo Point lies on a shoulder of West Tiger Mountain, and a small knoll there is topped by a mast with a windsock. The knoll is only a few feet higher than the surrounding area, but it qualifies Poo Poo Point - if minimally - as one of West Tiger's summits.

This hike reaches Poo Poo Point via a forested route, beginning from either of two trailheads near Issaquah High School. For the very different hike that reaches Poo Poo Point via a steep, rocky trail beginning near the glider field, see our entry for the Chirico Trail.

• Trail smarts
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• Pack it in, pack it out: Leave No Trace on Trail

If you are beginning at the northern trailhead at the end of SE Evans St (see Driving Directions) head south on the obvious trail (signed "Trail"). Avoid any side trails that head left into the forest. Continue south, pass the tennis courts and follow along a small power line. Soon, you will note a sign on the left up ahead, placed there by the Issaquah Alps Trail Club, proclaiming "High School Trail."

If, instead, you are beginning at the southern trailhead along 2nd Ave SE, just north of Front St, then head east on the obvious unsigned trail that leaves the small parking area. Pass by some back yards and the soccer fields, and soon come to the same "High School Trail" sign that's encountered by folks coming from the northern trailhead.

Follow a sign indicating a turn to drop a few feet then hike a gentle arc to the left. In about a hundred feet reach an old road bed and turn sharply right, heading uphill.

You will pass an old metal gate that for many years was closed and had to be detoured around. Now, it seems to be open all the time. About 400 feet beyond the gate, look downslope to the right of the trail and note an old metal bathtub, now partly filled with gravel. What its original purpose might have been no one today seems to know.

Farther along, come to a sign board with cautions about bears (yes they're out here, but rarely seen) and on the other side of the board you'll find a Green Trails map showing many Tiger Mountain trails. A bit farther along there is a side trail on the left. Just pass it, and continue along the main trail.

The trail begins to level out, and soon you will see a rustic sign on the left for the Adventure Trail. A bit farther along a small, quiet stream passes beneath the trail via a culvert. It comes from the direction of tiny Round Lake, and seems to run all year even in dry years.

Shortly, you will find yourself beneath a major power line with a signpost located just a few feet to your left. The signpost marks the official upper end of the High School Trail. The Poo Poo Point and Section Line Trails continue on from there.

Take the Poo Poo Point Trail, cross the route of a buried gas line, then climb steadily up an old railroad grade through mixed deciduous and coniferous forest. In early spring, look for trillium, bleeding heart, and yellow violets. Later in the summer, be alert for salmonberries or thimbleberries. Throughout the year, hikers can enjoy the vigorous growth of ferns and the accumulations of moss on trees.

The route traverses Many Creeks Valley crossing a number of small creeks, some of them seasonal, then levels out briefly to cross Gap Creek on a high bridge. This is a great place to pause and view the stream and many large mossy trees. The trail then climbs more steeply through coniferous forest. Note the many old decaying stumps, a remnant from logging days, some of them now appealing abstract sculptures in reddish brown tones.

Before the summer of 2021, the route continued on to a three-way trail junction where the Poo Poo Point Trail turned sharply to the right. Hikers then had to drop some 200 feet on that ongoing trail to reach an old logging grade that continues on to Poo Poo Point – specifically, the North Launch View Point.

The new trail eliminates that extra 200 foot climb. It leaves the present trail about 0.5 mile past Gap Creek. If the new trail is open when you do your hike, make a right turn onto it. The new trail will lead you directly to the old logging grade that you will follow to the point.

The gravel road seen arriving at the Point is the West Side Road, one of several non-public service roads that begin at the Tiger Summit on Highway 18.

The Point is a great spot to sit and enjoy the view and have a snack. There are two picnic tables, and a CXT toilet open to the public. There is no regular water source at the Point. If your timing is right you may enjoy seeing a few paragliders soar off the steep northwestern face of the Point.

History

The folksy name is a reference to the steam whistle sounds heard throughout the Tigers in the early days of logging. More recently (1970s) the area around Poo Poo Point was logged by the Weyerhaeuser Corporation. They even took the stumps! The result is a large clear area used now as a launching pad by paragliders who generally backpack their lightweight gear up the Chirico Trail. The Point also offers a fine view northwest across Issaquah and Lake Sammamish toward Bellevue's downtown. To the west are Squak and Cougar Mountains, with a hint of Seattle's tallest buildings showing beyond.