Founded in May, 1979, The Issaquah Alps Trail Club offers free guided hikes and a voice for protection of our open
spaces, trails, and quality of life.
The club's mission is to act as custodian of the trails and the lush, open, tree-covered mountaintops known as the
Issaquah Alps.
These mountains, so christened by Harvey Manning in 1976, are those low mountains which face I-90 between Bellevue and
North Bend: Cougar, Squak, Tiger, Taylor and Rattlesnake Mountains. Also within the Issaquah Alps are Grand Ridge and
Mitchell Hill as well as the corridors leading to these mountains. The Issaquah Alps Trails system was developed and
is maintained by IATC. Members serve as advocates as well as hike leaders.
Enormous Storm Damage on Area Trails
The snow, ice, and wind storms in the 3rd week of 2012 really wreaked havoc on the trails in the Issaquah Alps.
Reports have come in from both sides of Cougar Mountain, from Taylor Mountain, from Snoqualmie-Preston Trail, and more.
It is painful to look around on the trails and see so many trees freshly savaged, even if they are still standing.
Some are quite large. Many trees or branches on the ground are full of buds for spring.
One wonders how the wild animals and birds, big and small, will cope with the changes caused by the storm.
The conditions are the same everywhere. Lesser trails are completely blocked every few feet by fallen limbs and trees.
Hikers must go off trail a ways to get around the obstructions.
In 3 hours on Jan 21, Michiko, Dee Dee, Richard, and George managed to make the first half mile of the Wilderness Creek Trail passable
except for a number of larger trees. Chains saws will still be needed to complete the work and there is a lot more trail to clear.
Forest roads and the really wide trails are also blocked by fallen trees, but it is further between obstructions.
On Jan 22, Dave and George were able to make the Preston - Snoqualmie Trail somewhat passable, from the Lake Alice Trailhead to the
Preston Fall City Road (maybe a mile), in 2 hours, but larger fallen trees go all of the way across the 100 foot width and will need
Chain saws to remove them.
Any contribution we can make to organizing or participating in work parties is highly desirable. For several months to come,
leaders should expect many hikes to turn into trail cleanup events or they should switch to alternative trails which are already cleared.
Hikers can help by removing fallen branches from trails. Hikers may bring work gloves, hand saws, and clippers with them,
however, the use of power tools is prohibited without permission of the land managers and approved safety training.
The Club is working with our land managers to set priorities for organized efforts.
Here is some BASIC advice on trail clearing that can be passed on to ALL trail users:
1) To REALLY help, email trailwork@issaquahalps.org to receive notices of work parties every Saturday and Sunday in February.
If you have ANY weekdays free, we will add you to that list also.
2) If you cut or move limbs, place them at the edge of the trail leaveing just a 12 inch path.
DON'T toss them on top of surrounding vegetation.
This will avoid crushing firns and also avoid encouraging Devil's Club, Blackberry, etc.
Work parties will clear these later.
3) Leave the chain-sawing for the pros!
Avoid cutting living plants which have been bent down. They may spring back later.
Some advanced stuff for those who want to do more:
1) Avoid cutting living plants, such as vine maple. They may spring back later.
Remove dead limbs holding them down and prune minimally, rather than chopping ALL intruding vegetation as you find it.
2) Cut / fallen limbs and sawn logs can be dragged and scattered at least 8 feet from the edge of the trail and
preferably not on top of ferns.
Tossing smaller stuff: Try for at least 8 feet from edge of trail.
(Dead material tossed ON TOP of trailside vegetation creates new problems.)
3) If you find damage to the trail "tread" or to structures, note the location as exactly as you can, and
report to the land manager or trailwork@issaquahalps.org.
4) Runners! Wear long pants or gaiters. Cut or broken limbs can cause serious scrapes and gouges.
Better: Stay off the trails until cleared.
If you can help, please contact:
the IATC Trail Maintenance Coordinator, Scott Semans: trailwork@issaquahalps.org , 425-369-1725
or the Washington Trails Association: http://www.wta.org/volunteer/trail-work-parties , trail_teams@wta.org , 206-625-1367.
Contributing Authors: Michiko, Denis, Dave W, Charlotte, Dave K, Scott, George updated 2012 Jan 26
Here are Other Ways You Can Help
Volunteer your time to lead hikes, participate on special
projects, trail maintenance TRAILWORK and IATC administrative functions.
Regular/annual donations (suggested donation of $25) will
cover the cost of printing and mailing the Alpiner and part
of the club's overhead expenses.
Additional donations cover the remainder of
IATC's overhead expenses and generate funds for
special events, projects, publications and ensuring that trail maintenance
tools are fit and ample.
DONATE--The Issaquah Alps
Trails Club is a 501 (c)(3)
association making your donations tax deductible!
