West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail + Preston Powerline Trail / 西虎山

  • Reading time:5 mins read

West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail takes one to the highest point in the state forest. It’s the second-tallest peak on the massif after the main summit. Moreover, it’s the most visited place on the crest by outdoor fans.

The final stretch on West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail
The final stretch on West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail

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West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail at a Glance

Access: Preston Powerline Trail (area info)
Round Trip: 7.9 miles
Elevation Range: 540′-2948′
Gear: microspikes, snowshoes
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: yes

December Snow 2022

Our last visit was in February 2021, soon after the snowstorms. The overnight snow brought in sizable powder in the Pacific Northwest. Unable to dig the car out of the driveway, we resorted to Tiger Mountain in the backyard.

Like before, we went through the neighborhood in the dark. The Preston Powerline Trail then took us to the rest of the trails. After Preston Trail, we worked through Bootleg Trail in the Natural Resource Conservation Area.

Through the neighborhood before sunrise
Through the neighborhood before sunrise

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Through Heavy Snow on West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail

Higher up, the snow deepened, so I put on snowshoes at the fork with the Railroad Grade. Meanwhile, we tried staying on track as we moved into areas of heavy powder. We even went through a trench created by snow berms on both sides.

The path took us to the clearing at 2800′, where we soon joined Tiger Mountain Road. Right away, we felt the onset of the strong breeze. It worsened as we inched toward the summit towers half a mile away in the gusts.

In a deep snow trench
In a deep snow trench

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Viewing by the Summit Radio Tower

It was our first time here since the logging took place, so the summit looked unrecognizable. In turn, views once held by the Hikers Hut were now all around. West Tiger #2 and Lake Sammamish were also visible, with Puget Sound in the back.

A runner and their dog appeared as we took shelter behind the utility shed. As it turned out, they and I live on opposite ends of the same street. The dogs and I basked in the gorgeous weather before descending through the trees.

South panorama from West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail
South panorama from West Tiger Mountain via Bootleg Trail

See more trip photos here.

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