Equestrian Loop, Summit Trail, South Access Road & Phil's Creek — Saturday, Apr. 20, 2002

Issaquah Alps > Squak Mountain

This is a nice local forest hike to the top of Central Peak on Squak Mountain. The trails on the May Valley side of Squak are definitely the domain of horses. The trailhead is off of May Valley Rd about a mile west of Issaquah-Hobart Rd. One must walk the South Access Rd 1/2 mi to reach the Equestrian Loop Trail. This trail recieves a fair amount of horse traffic and it shows. Many sections of the trail look like they've been torn up with a huge roto tiller. Horsey mud holes are abundant. If you can ignore the trail condition, the surrounding forest is lovely. In about 1.5 miles turn right onto Phil's Trail. In 1/4 mile the boundry for Squak Mountain is crossed and the horse free zone is entered. The trail tread abruptly improves dramatically. The Summit Trail takes you a steep 1/4 up an interesting ravine amongst large trees to the South Access road. Go up the road about 200 yard to Central Peak. Walk around the microwave towers to get a nice slot view of downtown Seattle. I returned along South Access Rd. About 1/2 way down the mountain there is brand new graveled trail off to the right which is not officially opened but I took it anyway. This 3/4 mile long trail segment was the best part of the trip. The trail is in excellent condition since it has not yet seen any horse traffic. The forest it traverses is as nice as second growth forest gets. It eventually meets up with the South Access Rd again directly opposite the start of the Equestrian Loop trail.