IATC History-Chapter 29 (2009): A Good Year for IATC
2009: A GOOD YEAR FOR IATC
By Doug Simpson
January – March: Many Positives in 2008
Another access route to Cougar Mountain was completed with the opening of the Talus Bridge Trail. The trail connects the Talus community with Cougar’s Bear Ridge Trail. Though only a quarter-mile long, IATC’s Scott Semans reported that over 600 man hours were put into the project, including a bridge over West Tibbetts Creek. Up to 100 sword ferns were transplanted to open the trail route. Semans put in over half the hours on the project himself.
Tiger Mountain’s Park Pointe property on its western flank was rescued from development, as the City of Issaquah and Port Blakely developers reached an agreement. To gain 36 acres for development in the Highlands, Port Blakely exchanged 160 acres (and 360 potential house units) at Park Pointe. The developer would also provide $13 million in recreational improvements to Highland’s Central Park, sell 3.2 acres to the city and build 53 affordable housing units among the concessions. Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger called the agreement “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to forever protect one of the last significant pieces of open space.”
President Steve Williams commented on the above accomplishments and noted that 23 different hike leaders guided 139 different hikes in 2008 from Lake Washington to Snoqualmie Pass.
With the Greenway’s goal of being able to walk or bike from Seattle to Snoqualmie Pass, this came closer to reality with a trail link along I-90 from Lakemont Boulevard to State Route 900.
DNR’s Snoqualmie Unit received three grants for 2009 projects, for bridge replacements on Mount Si, a new trailhead near Mount Tannerife and Mailbox Peak and for ongoing maintenance needs. And DNR announced a new policy governing regulation of recreational use in its jurisdictions.
The US News and World Report cited Issaquah among just ten cities in the United States as one of “the Best Healthiest Places to Retire.” It cited the city’s 1,146 acres of active and passive parks as a major reason for the recognition.
Mary Cadigan, a long-time active member of IATC passed away on November 23, 2008. She was a hike leader and volunteer in many club projects.
April – June: Another Storm Hits
IATC’s annual meeting resulted in few changes to the club’s board of directors. Steve Williams, Ken Konigsmark and Doug Simpson continued in their positions, and Cornelia Remy as treasurer and Kathleen Petty as secretary became official officers in the positions they had been filling. Dick Amidei became the only new board member, replacing Harry Morgan.
President Williams reported on a massive slide on Tiger Mountain, with over 200 feet of trail and a 60-foot bridge affected. He noted that climate change seems to bring a huge storm every other year now. He cited a dozen club members who tackled the project of repairing the damage. A new cable suspension bridge was being speculated.
Asked what hiking in the woods accomplished, in his Hiker’s Corner column Joe Toynbee wrote: “Any activity that is healthy, inexpensive, provides great scenery and companionship and is fun must have something going for it.”
Gas tax revenues provided funding sources to needed work on Squak Mountain. Landslides would be dealt with, bridges repaired and trails improved, with some new signage as well.
Scott Semans seemed everywhere. After finishing the Talus Trail, he then joined with Newcastle Trails to build the Terrace Trail up Cougar Mountain’s southwest flank from SE 144th to the Terrace neighborhood. The trail, in two-thirds of a mile, gains 500 feet to intersect with the East Crosstown Trail and the Cougar park’s trail system.
July – September: More Manning Honors
The upper Greenway Corridor was completed with acquisition of 7.000 acres (called ‘the doughnut hole”) that includes land on the slopes of Rattlesnake and Taylor mountains. The acquisition completes the unbroken connection of public land from Coal Creek Park to U.S. Foreign Service lands of the Cascades.
Harvey Manning received two posthumous honors. On Cougar Mountain’s east side in Talus, a local park was officially named the “Harvey Manning Park at Talus.” And he was given the Ruth Kees Environmental Excellence Award by the city of Issaquah. His award was the third for IATC leaders in as many years, following Bill Longwell and Ken Konigsmark.
President Steve Williams announced that the Harvey Manning statue would be dedicated on September 20. On the statue he was named “the Champion of the Issaquah Alps.” Williams called him “a warrior for the wilderness” whose weapons were “eloquent words and hiking boots.” Williams also paid tribute to the passing of Ruth Kees (75), Stimson Bullitt (85) and Tom Wood, environmental leaders who loved the wildlands and did much to benefit the Issaquah Alps. Bullitt donated the upper portion of Squak Mountain to King County Parks to expand the boundaries of the park.
The Greenway Trust and DNR were constructing a proper trail to the Kamikaze Falls, located between Mount Si and Mount Tennerife.
King County acquired 14 acres in the forest of Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River Valley. Most of the 110,000-acre valley is now public ownership, cleaned up and safe after years of misuse. Funds for the purchase were from Conservation Futures and levy moneys from property taxes.
King Count opened the Marymoor Connector Trail, making it possible to hike on trails from the Ballard Locks all the way to Snoqualmie Pass and beyond.
October – December: IATC Leads the Blind
Squak Mountain was named “a destination hike” by the American Hiking Society. It specifically cited the 6-8 mile “Double Park Loop“ (Central and West peaks) as a moderately difficult trail, a real gem, with lush vegetation and grand views.”
President Williams credited Doug Simpson for his leadefship in overseeing all aspects of the Harvey Manning statue, which all agreed presented a remarkable likeness. At the September 20 dedication, a good crowd came for the occasion with several speakers, including Mayor Ava Frisinger.
(See the separate story for IATC’s project of leading blind youth on a Twin Falls hike.)
The club had two new hike leaders in 2009—Dick Amidei and Robb Mitchell.