Hike was great, but wanted to warn @ the parking lot. I left my car for 30 minutes and it was broken into. Another car had broken windows too. Called the cops & filed a report.

We knew the trail was here and were driving home down May Valley Rd when we heard the insurance commercial so we thought why not stop and hit it? It was a lot shorter than we thought it would be, but were pleasantly surprised by Field Mouse and his story. We'll be bringing the daisy troop back here for a hiking badge!! :D The parking lot and trail are both open and clear.

We took an afternoon day trip to Squak Mountain. We thought the hike was fitting for a cloudy and somewhat rainy day, since the hike is mostly under forest canopy, and there are limited views. We decided to approach from the Squak Mountain State Park parking lot, at 21500 May Valley Road. We arrived at 1:15 pm, and there were a few spots left in the parking lot when we arrived. At the start of the hike, there was a trail crew from the Mountains to Sound Greenway performing trail maintenance. Their major project was building a turnpike. I had planned to take the May Valley/Phil's Trail loop, but it was easiest to follow the signs for the Central Peak trail, which is 3.3 miles each way. The trail is in moderate condition. There are a lot of places that require improved drainage, despite the many turnpikes already in place. We encountered several mudholes. There was one blowdown. Also, there are a few spots where the signage is potentially confusing. I recommend following the arrows for the Central Peak, but at 2 miles in (1.3 miles from Central Peak), make a turn to the right and proceed uphill. Wildlife sighted included a Dark-eyed Junko and a field mouse. A few Pacific banana slugs were out. The undergrowth is just starting to grow green leaves. Just after starting out, we ran into two equines, complete with riders, ascending the trail (watch out for ample horse droppings on this trail). We saw a few other hikers on the way up and down, but we had the trail mostly to ourselves. We reached the Bullitt Fireplace and ate lunch. We then continued a little farther to Central Peak, but we did not go all the way to the tower. At the top, salmonberry is just starting to bloom. We descended by the route we came, finishing at 5 pm. After descending, I went to walk the Pretzel Tree Loop. I enjoyed the storyboards starring the field mouse, and I also saw what I believe was Western trillium in bloom.

Not hiked. Due to laminated root rot of very large firs in the parking lot area and beyond, this entire area is closed. Text from WA State Parks website (http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Squak%20Mountain&subject=all): "The parking lot, southern trailhead and restroom at Squak Mountain State Park are closed until further notice due to a forest health issue. The Squak Mountain south trailhead is closed indefinitely." Sad, because this is a fantastic little loop for introducing very young children to nature and hiking, with a lovely illustrated story about the local wildlife and ecosystem.

Watch out for poop! Stopped quickly at this trail with my two young children while we were out running errands today. The trail should be flip-flop appropriate, but trail-users have been negligent in picking up after pets (horses and dogs) in the stretch of trail closest to the parking lot. Yuck! My seven-year-old enjoyed reading the storyboards to his younger sister, and both kids enjoyed spotting the pretzel tree. At the end of the loop- more poop!- this time from a wild animal who had been feeding mostly on grasses and berries. Bear scat, possibly?