IATC History-Chapter 34 (2014): More Trails Completed
IATC HISTORY:
Chapter 34: 2014
MORE TRAILS COMPLETED
By Doug Simpson
January – March: Multiple Trail Projects
More honors for Harvey Manning: an interpretive panel honoring Harvey Manning was installed on Cougar Mountain’s “million dollar viewpoint.” One entry on the panel states: “Put simply, the wildland park exists today only because of the vision of Harvey Manning and the efforts of citizen volunteers.
Trails were completed on Tiger Mountain’s Park Pointe acreage, with the Washington Trails Association completing the work. Though bikers have access to some lower trails, upper trails are open only to hikers.
The East Lake Sammamish Trail had 2.2 miles added to its length from S.E. 43rd Way to NW Gilman Boulevard, leaving only the middle Sammamish link to be added for completion.
The club formally initiated Facebook and Twitter accounts as part of is modernizing efforts.
Passage of November’s Issaquah park board bond will provide two million dollars for open space purchases, as well as expansion of Confluence Park and the city’s “green necklace.”
A new 500-foot boardwalk was completed in Lake Sammamish State Park as part of the park’s revitalization project.
April – June: Margaret Macleod Passes
In a busy night at its annual meeting in January, the IATC Board adjusted membership charges requesting from $25 for a basic hiker, to $50 for a project supporter, to $75 for a sponsor, maintaining $100 for “visionaries,” and adding $250 for “adventurers.” Dave Kappler maintains the club presidency, but George Potter replaces Dick Amidei as treasurer. Rachel Hopkins was added to the board.
Great sorrow was reported by IATC members and community leaders by the passing of Margaret Macleod, who provided superior leadership and dedication in her twenty years as Interagency Trails Coordinator for King County, the City of Issaquah, State DNR and IATC. Over the years she secured tens of millions of dollars for open space acquisitions and trail maintenance projects. “Margaret was an amazing person and incredible contributor to the wonders of the Issaquah Alps,” Ken Konigsmark wrote. She was 61.
Also passing was Milt Swanson. The 95-year old Swanson was invaluable as a Cougar Mountain and mining historian. He worked closely with Harvey Manning, IATC and the Newcastle Historical Society over the years.
Ralph Owen wrote an extensive essay about the Issaquah Alps, detailing the geography and geology of each of Tiger Mountain’s 13 peaks.
July – August: Squak Mountain Acreage Saved
The acquisition of 220 acres on southeast Squak Mountain saved the old camping lodge property from development. Three hikes in the area were held on May 10th to celebrate and exhibit the acreage. In his column, IATC President Dave Kappler spoke at length on the virtues of the purchase: “headwaters of May Creek, great trees and habitat, cliffs, views, trailhead parking, trails now and in the future, location, location and location.” King County and the Trust for Public Land were the financial backers.
Ralph Owen editorialized on naming a trail on Cougar Mountain for mountaineer Jim Whittaker rather than for Harvey Manning, the man most responsible for the Cougar park’s acquisition.
At IATC’s April board meeting, revisions were made to two of the club’s by-laws, and Kirt Lenard was elected to a vacant seat on the board, filling the spot held by Allegra Atkinson.
Ed Vervoort wrote about the extensive bridge work on Tiger Mountain—below Fred’s Corner, the West Tiger Railroad Grade, the TMT and the 15-Mile RR Grade Trail. In at least one case, a helicopter was needed to fly in 35-foot steel beams.
This year’s scholarship winners were Skyline’s Sydney Smith ($1000), Skyline’s Joey Nakao ($500) and Liberty’s Max Greenwald ($250). Smith, with her 3.9 GPA, will be attending Claremont-Makenna College in California with a major in economics. Nakao (3.8) will enroll at Seattle University, and Greenwald (4.0) heads to Middlebury College in Vermont. Examples of their writing follow:
Smith: I have run hundreds of miles on these trails, and they have served all purposes for me. They have been my therapist, my entertainer, my escape, my gym, a place to grow friendships, and a place of incomparable self-reflection. The hours I have spent with my friends running the High School, the Bus, the Swamp, the Big-Tree and the Power Line (‘suicide’) trails are priceless. I know that without such serene trails in my backyard, I never would have fallen in love with running, and I would have missed out on life-long friendships with my fellow runners.”
Nakao: “The Alps have practically become a second home, since I run on them up to four times a week. I don’t go just for a run, but also to take advantage of every mile, taking in the unmatched beauty that the Alps offer. It truly is another world.”
Greenwald: “What I like most about the Issaquah Alps trail system is the sheer number, variety, and superior quality of the different routes, which ensure both that the trails are accessible to anyone and that die-hard hikers such as myself will never get bored.”
October – December: Greenway a Heritage Site?
Washington senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Congressman Dave Reichert introduced legislation to give the Mountains to Sound Greenway status as a National Heritage site. As such it would promote cooperation and economic development from Seattle Ellensburg.
President Kappler helped local high school students make up PE credits by intensive hiking on local trails, Squak Mountain this year.
Ken Konigsmark hosted an IATC picnic on his property atop Grand Ridge on July 27. The gathering, which had a nice turnout, was a revival of events from years past.
The Emerald Necklace is now 80% complete with an additional trail on the Sammamish Plateau. It will be 28 miles long upon completion.
The only new hike leader in 2014 was Rachel Hopkins.