"Good to be back after 10 years. Took it slow because remembered this run up being brutal but it didn’t seem that tough today. Glad to know I’m in better shape than a decade ago. Explored new trails down. Section Line was a steep descent to mellower Nook." — scott • Jun 30, 2025

"First time on these peaks, did all three. Nice view from #1 (though was a bit hazy). Didn't know there was a hiker hut--with power!--on #1. Figured out that you don't want to hike over to the viewpoint from the tower area, as the old service road is very overgrown, and the gate near the viewpoint is locked (though you can get around it, it's a bit of a pain)." — danv • Jun 29, 2021

"Opted for an afternoon conditioner up the Cable Line route up West Tiger #3 this afternoon. The trail is muddy and slippery. After one mile in, there is persistent compact snow. I advise bringing poles and microspikes - they will make the last half mile much faster and the descent safer. I donned my spikes only after reaching the summit and wished I had them on for the last push as the going was slower due to increased caution at less than perfect purchase with my trail runners. Note that there are a handful of blowdowns, but nothing creating any measurable obstacles." — markhadland • Feb 27, 2021

"Decided on a last-minute conditioner hike up to West Tiger 3 via the cable route.  As usual, this is an endless step master grind.  Upon reaching the summit West Tiger 2 was in view and seemed so close.  Upon consulting Gaia, and figuring I had about 3 hours of daylight remaining, I headed East to West Tiger 2.  The trail drops a couple of hundred feet in elevation and then climbs up to the summit in about 15 minutes of walking.  There is a radio tower there.  I opted to push on to West Tiger 1.  The path is via an access road down, then forks to the left up a gravel road to West Tiger 1.  There is a wonderful view of Mount Rainier and parts of the Puget Sound.  There is also a hikers hut that resembles a metal dome - not sure the use or history of the structure, but have been researching online.  I decided to make a loop on the way down with the destination of my car at the trailhead of the cable route.  My path took me on Preston Way, West Tiger RR Grade, Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT), K3, TMT, and back to the Cable Route, passing Fred's Corner along the way.  This trail and route were much more interesting that the Cable Route - I highly recommend it.  There are several bridges ove..." — markhadland • Jul 28, 2020

"A very steep, direct climb up to the summit of this small peak outside Seattle. Overall rating 5/10, good for getting a workout but no beautiful views, worth a trip if hiking further onto the higher Tigers" — MountainQuest • Sep 1, 2019

"First trip ever up/on Tiger Mountain. I know this is often a weekly trainer or daily runner for some, but since it's my first trip and I took my youngest son, thought I would write a few words. First, this is steeper than I imagined. The trail was fairly muddy for 50%, which made it slick coming down. Shoes with good traction are a must. I used poles as I tend to trip if I don't. Many folks were running up and down. It starts out in the lower trees, gains grade and goes up and up. A perfect trainer. About halfway up the grade lessens for a bit, presenting a sense of a false summit about 2/3rds of the way up given the skyline visible through the trees. Finally, the trail splits at the intersection of the Tiger Mountain trail. Affording views off to the East of the Snoqualmie Valley. At the top, you can see the flight control tower from SeaTac in the distance. Definitely a good training route. The trail is lined with beautiful, lush beds of sword ferns, interspersed with bracken ferns, and is actually quite pretty. Many fun edible plants including young Oregon grape leaves, miners lettuce, huckleberry bushes. " — markhadland • May 26, 2019

"Choice B with the boys after sitting in the parking lot at Alpental waiting for the rain to subside to go to Snow Lake. Not too packed for a Saturday and always like parking on the road below for an extra 1/4 of a mile or so each day. The boys fed the camp robbers up top and Daihong and Terrence went over to Tiger 1 for an extra workout. A really easy day compared to what we're used to, but with the boys and the option to hike extra trails, it's great to have this area so close to Seattle, even with the crowds." — BryHong8 • Mar 28, 2015

"This was it, the breakthrough run. After struggling up past the highpoint where I had redlined into a walk 2 1/2 weeks ago, I just kind of kept going, creeping uphill in the slowest possible running pace. In the last .6 mile section, twice I almost strided into a walk but both times managed to dig in a bit deeper and keep the run alive. In a kind of panting shellshock I strided onto the summit; I thought this moment would be a few months away, if ever. This was my 6th attempt to run up West Tiger #3; the first attempt back in Jan I ran up for just 3 min before fading to a hike. Now that I know this is feasible, not sure what my next goal should be. Perhaps completing this again without absolutely pegging my heart rate for half of it and being sore for days. It's fun to think beyond that though, on to bigger hills and challenges. But don't want to get ahead of myself. Until then..." — scott • Feb 20, 2015

"The throes of Thursday, or "what more can we do to recklessly plummet to the deepest clinical depression?" In the sweet spirit of self-inflicted suffering, I took my oldest son on an adventure through the West Tiger mountains yesterday for a delightful celebration of Mother Nature. First, we kicked it off with a sunrise trailhead launch: 6:30 am. En route to the park I could feel him thanking me for that little treat. What better way for a young man to enjoy Spring Break as it eased into it’s last days? Along the way we enjoyed 13 miles of torturously boring trails as we launch headlong into the redundancy of forest views coupled with more forest views. We bathed in lifeless moss, canker, decay and periodic toxic putrefaction while celebrating our journey bagging 4 “peaks” of the famed and utterly deflating Issaquah Alps. Not only were we rewarded with yet more forest views when reaching each peak, but we found ourselves surrounded and cooked by the inspiring magnificence and RF radiation of cell towers and microwave antennae. In the uncommon case that we did encounter a view, the territorial awe and nausea found in Urban sprawl met our lowest expectations. We even r..." — herdingcats • Apr 10, 2014

"Some days you just don't have it. Huge dread as started up the infamous Cable Line this early AM. Pushed it as hard as possible but just couldn't get in the zone. Didn't know it at the time, but Strava shows I was tied with last weeks record going into the 4th hill segment out of 5. Then I completely fell apart. The me from last week kicked my ass. By 2 min! 39:54" — scott • Aug 16, 2012