Hike Leaders

Hike leaders are volunteers who donate their time to lead people who want to hike and explore the trails in the Issaquah Alps and other nearby foothills (Cascades) in King County. Hikes are scheduled and led year-round unless severe conditions pose a safety hazard. Minimum attendance is three, including the leader. Trails in the Issaquah Alps may be good or bad, easy or hard, muddy or dusty, brushy or clear, steep or flat—or all the above. Some are not much more than animal trails. As volunteers, neither hike leaders nor the Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) are in any way responsible or liable for a hiker’s comfort, transportation, property, safety, or general well-being while traveling to and from the trailhead or hiking or working on any trail. The public, other clubs, youth groups, church groups, and others are welcome and wholeheartedly invited to hike these trails. Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. Please, dogs only on designated dog hikes.

Degree of Difficulty

Very Easy: up to 4 miles and 600 feet of elevation gain – for beginners and those early in their conditioning program.

Easy: up to 6 miles and 1200 feet gain – not difficult for occasional hikers.

Moderate: up to 10 miles with 1200 to 2500 feet gain – usually not difficult for regular hikers.

Strenuous: up to 12 miles and 3500 feet gain – for experienced hikers in good condition.

Very Strenuous: over 12 miles and/or over 3500 feet gain – only for experienced hikers in very good physical and aerobic condition.

  • Hike leaders are volunteers who donate their time to lead people who want to hike and explore the trails in the Issaquah Alps. Hikes are scheduled and led year-round unless severe conditions pose a safety hazard. Minimum attendance is three, including the leader.

    Trails in the Issaquah Alps may be good or bad, easy or hard, muddy or dusty, brushy or clear, steep or flat—or all the above. Some are not much more than animal trails. As volunteers, neither hike leaders nor IATC are in any way responsible or liable for a hiker’s comfort, transportation, property, safety, or general well-being while traveling to and from the trailhead or hiking or working on any trail.

    The public, other clubs, youth groups, church groups, and others are welcome and wholeheartedly invited to hike these trails. Children under 18 should be accompanied by an adult. Please, dogs only on designated dog hikes.

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Hike Description
Modifiers

Leader’s choice: The leader had not decided where to hike before publication of the hikes schedule.

Trail party: Trail maintenance work party.

Exploratory: The leader goes cross country off the main trail system to explore animal trails, canyons, old logging roads, or old railroad grades. Expect to go through brush, over logs, tiptoe through wildflowers, and/or mud while having a good time hiking where others seldom tread.

Family hike: For parents and children. Easy pace. Call leader for hike particulars.

Meeting Place

IATC hikes meet at the trailhead given on the hike’s page on our website.

Clothing

Dress for the Pacific Northwest outdoors. Expect rain, snow, sunshine, fog, and everything in between. Bring extra clothing, raingear, food, drink, matches, flashlight, and first-aid supplies. Wear comfortable hiking boots or hiking shoes with closed toes.