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Regional Trails
Regional Trails in the Issaquah Area
Squak Mountain State Park Trailhead
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The City of Issaquah, known as the Trailhead City, has the fortunate status of being at the center of the "Issaquah Alps," Cougar, Squak, Tiger Mountains and Grand Ridge. Additionally, the City is located on the I-90 corridor which provides easy access to trails located on county, state and federal lands. Maps and guide books of the trails located within the "Issaquah Alps" can be purchased from the following sources:
In addition, Green Trails trail maps and the Issaquah Alps Trail Club's Trail Guide Books are sold through selected outdoor retail stores, such as REI.
"Issaquah Alps": Tiger Mountain State Forest; Squak Mountain State Park; Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park; and, Grand Ridge Park.
The following is a brief description of the "Issaquah Alps" Trailheads which provide access to over 150 miles of trails. Trailheads and neighborhood access points to the trail system include:
Bus Trail - Tradition Plateau NRCA
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Tiger Mountain State Forest and Tradition Plateau/West Tiger Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA):
High Point Trailhead, I-90 High Point Exit (Exit #20): This trailhead, with an 80 car parking area, restroom, interpretive shelter and picnic area, provides access to the trail system located within the Tradition Plateau/West Tiger Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) - Tiger Mountain State Forest.
Second Avenue Parking Area, Second Ave. between Issaquah High School and Front St. S.: This small dirt parking area is located where the Rainier Trail crosses Second Ave. and provides neighborhood access to the Tradition Plateau via the High School Trail.
East Sunset Way Neighborhood Access (at the Sunset Interchange): The East Sunset Way Neighborhood Access point, Sunset Way Trail, provides trail access to the west end of Tradition Plateau near the Sunset Interchange.
Tiger Summit Trailhead (Summit of Highway 18): Tiger Summit Trailhead provides a parking area and restrooms. The trailhead provides access to the trails located in the south and east half of Tiger Mountain. Several popular single track muliple use trails are also accessed by this trailhead. NOTE: The trailhead and single track multiple use trails are open seasonally from April 15th through October 15th. The forest roads are available year-round for multiple use recreational activities.
Squak Mountain State Park:
Issaquah Trail Center Parking (110 SE Bush St.): The Issaquah Trail Center parking area provides parking for use of the Rainier Multiple Use Trail, the City's north-south multiple use trail, and for the Squak Mountain Access Trail.
Mountainside Drive SW (Hairpin Curve): This neighborhood access point and small parking area is located at the hairpin curve on Mountainside Drive SW between the Idylwood and Forest Rim neighborhoods. The Bullitt Fireplace Trail starts at this parking area and provides trail access to the Squak Mountain State Park trail system.
Squak Mountain State Park Trailhead (SE May Valley Road): This trailhead provides parking and a restroom and provides access to the state park's southern flank trail system. There are several shared-use trails, horse/hiker, as well as hiker only trails.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park:
Wilderness Creek Trailhead (SR 900/Renton-Issaquah Road SE): This small parking area, located on the east side of Cougar Mountain, provides access to the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park trail system via the Wilderness Creek Trail.
Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead (SE Cougar Mountain Drive): This graveled parking area is located close to the top of Cougar Mountain and provides wonderful views to the north (sometimes one can catch a glimpse of Mt. Baker). Many of the wildland park's trails are accessed from this trailhead.
Red Town Trailhead (Lakemont Blvd. SE/Newcastle Coal Creek Rd.): Red Town Trailhead has a graveled parking area that provides access to the trails around the historic Red Town mining area and to the wildland park's central trail system.
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