I did a nice 8 mile loop around South Tiger Mountain using the TMT and the S Tiger traverse trail. The first part of the TMT from the parking area to Hobart Gap is well built and only moderately muddy. The section beyond Mile 1 is exceptionally pretty, as the trail climbs thru an open forest of tall douglas firs then enters a miniature valley filled with ferns and a nice little pond. Past the valley, the TMT traverses a cliffy slope on an exciting but of trail then reaches Hobart Gap. The TMT beyond the Gap soon crosses a large, cascading creek (a lovely spot to take a break), then turns extremely muddy and watery due to poor drainage. This could be fixed fairly simply by a good trail crew in a day. Past some powerlines, the trail becomes much better. Eventually the TMT joins a road, which in turn intersects the main Road 1000 after a quarter mile or so. A rough trail near this intersection takes off west and goes to Otter Lake, which is not much to see, just a small pond. When I saw enough of Otter Lake, I retraced my steps down the TMT road/trail a short distance, then branched off on a steeply climbing side road. This road quickly climbs to a recently clear cut hilltop before coming to an end. Nice views from on top. The start of the S Tiger Traverse trail begins here, marked by ribbon. The trail is well constructed and and not too muddy. Midway along the traverse, by a large stump, a branch trail can be found that leads to the tree-covered and viewless summit of S Tiger, which may not be viewless for long because timber sales are planned on its east slope. A summit register has been placed on top for those needing to document their conquest of one of the ""6 summits of Tiger Mountain"". Beyond the S Tiger branch, the Traverse trail descends to a nice viewpoint in a powerline swath, then drops some more to Hobart Gap,completing the loop.

If you like trilliums, head on down to the South Tiger trailhead and start stompin'. The first 1/8 mile of the trail is littered with them, and surrounded by soon to be blooming false lily of the valley carpeting the forest floor. I had a quick hour to kill while waiting to pick up the 2.87234 year old Christopher from grandma's house, so headed down here to check out the flowers since I had my cameras with me. I hiked in through the beautiful hanging valley area, and headed back at the first trail intersection. It's a great way to enjoy the Tiger Mtn area - I went miles further three years ago, and again today there was only one other car at the trailhead at 11:30am.

The good news: Thanks to active logging, South Tiger Mtn. will soon be a view point comparable to the old Middle Tiger. The bad news: Note that large sections of the South Tiger Traverse have been obliterated by logging operations and road building, starting from the TMT junction near Otter Lake to the south slopes of South Tiger Mtn. A sign says ""TRAIL CLOSED Mo-Fr"" implying that the trail is open to hikers Sa/So. In reality, the trail does no longer exist and the logging roads replacing it do not visibly connect to it. A warning sign at the south entrance of the TMT or at least at Hobart Gap would be very useful!