Weathering the Storm: Aftermath and Trail Updates
By Selena Eon, IATC Board Member
Our beloved Issaquah Alps has weathered the storm that started on November 19th, but the landscape has been affected. The storm was an unusually strong downslope wind event, caused by a pressure gradient from a strong cyclone off the coast and very cold air east of the Cascades. The winds started whistling through the Alps late in the afternoon on the 19th and didn’t ease until the early hours of the 20th. Since the winds were downslope from the Cascades, they came from the east. You’ll see this easterly wind direction reflected in the downed trees; nearly all of them have fallen in the same direction. In addition to whole trees, tree tops were snapped off, and branches of all sizes fell.
Jakob Two Trees, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
In the early hours after the storm, our community went into action. It became easy to find the helpers. My partner worked as one of 70 tree crews, joined by 170 linemen crews and other state and local entities, responding as soon as the winds eased. The crews set off into the "chaos," unable to reach their destinations because the roads were blocked by tree after tree. They started to saw their way through. Eventually, it became clear that the area had been badly affected, and a plan was put in place. The crews worked intensely, with my partner’s crew logging nearly 150 hours over the 8 days after the storm. Issaquah did not have power restored quickly. At my home in the Issaquah Valley, power wasn’t restored until Sunday afternoon. The last area to be restored was the badly hit Mirrormont/South Tiger area, where power came back online on Tuesday evening—one full week after the storm.
NW Dogwood Street, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
The first morning, I went for a walk as soon as the winds eased. I found city streets blocked with trees to climb through and power lines on main roads. Cars and buildings had trees on top of them, and street signs were bent over. I climbed through a labyrinth of downed trees along the Rainier Trail to find the troll still standing. In the following days, I handsawed my way through the Brink and Ruth’s Big Tree Trail to find that the Big Tree had weathered the storm with grace. I discovered that all three bridges along the northern traverse of the Tiger Mountain Trail were undamaged. I was the first to hike the Cable Line with a saw in hand. The Owl Bench on WT3 was wobbly but otherwise unharmed. A tree was on the One View arch, but the arch remained. I was able to clear all but a couple of large trees from the Section Line Trail. The Hiker’s Hut stood. I found helpers I had never met, happy to move branches as I carefully handsawed to clear trails. I hiked Big Tree Ridge on Cougar and the Chybinski Loop. I saw a chainsaw crew on the PooPoo Point Trail near the One View junction, making quick work of the biggest downed trees.
Brink Trail, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
Ruth’s Big Tree Trail, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
West Tiger 3 Summit, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
One View Trail, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
One View Arch, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
Although I was relieved to find many beloved landmarks unscathed, I also found destruction. In these first days, the worst-hit trails I personally slogged through were the western portions of Ruth’s Big Tree and Brink Trails on Tiger Mountain. The lowest reaches of the One View Trail are a tangled mess of huge blowdowns that have damaged the tread, making it difficult to pass through. Other hikers have shared the sorry state of the southern TMT and South Tiger, mentioning very difficult tangles of trees and considering it impassable where the TMT meets the road north of the South Tiger summit. I haven’t seen or heard of any reports of conditions in the areas around Middle Tiger, where logging has been actively taking place. The eastern aspect of Squak Mountain has also been hit hard, with hikers considering the East Ridge Trail, parts of the Eastside Trail, and Old Griz to be severely damaged and impossible to follow due to trees and debris. Many trees are also down on the eastern aspect of the May Valley Loop. The lovely new Chybinski Loop also has quite a few large trees down. Cougar Mountain was less severely impacted than Tiger and Squak. I haven’t learned of any trails that would be considered impassable, although there are many large trees down to navigate.
Squak Eastside Junction, photo courtesy of Luke Distelhorst
Squak East Ridge, photo courtesy of Luke Distelhorst
Trails are being cleared efficiently by hikers and crews. DNR crews have already cleared the WT3 and Cable Line Trails with their big chainsaws! Many trails will require expertise and equipment to clear trees from them. Clearing downed trees is dangerous work. I’ve seen trees that popped upright after a top was removed, and large pieces fall unexpectedly. Most of us can safely handle a small handsaw, move branches, and even out tread with our feet. Seeing all the helpers has genuinely warmed my heart—please stay well within your expertise and leave the major work to the trail crews. If organized opportunities to help arise, we at IATC will share these with you immediately because we know how much you want to put your boots on the ground and clear our trails.
Chybinski Loop, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
Cable Line Trail, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
With all the new “features” on our trails, please plan for extra time to navigate downed trees. These trees can be slippery, and some are really big! The worst-hit areas can be challenging and even require route-finding skills. Trees that were damaged, large branches and even treetops may be hanging in the forest to fall later. These are of particular concern with storms but they can fall any time. Please watch out for these hazards in the coming weeks and months.
For the time being, it’s very possible that some trails will not be in your comfort zone. There are many helpful trip reports online, so be sure to check where you are headed to see how clear it is. Even if there isn’t a report, consider feeling empowered to go find out, because turning around is always an option if you become uncomfortable navigating what you find. If you discover challenges, share your experience so others will know where repair work is needed.
Author with Ruth’s Big Tree, courtesy of Selena Eon
Learn more about emergency management and preparedness resources and services available to our community through the City of Issaquah and King County. Discover opportunities to get involved with the Issaquah Alps Trails Club and contribute to local efforts.