This hike will emphasize identification of native plants in the Issaquah Alps. We will meet at the East Sunset Trailhead on the eastern edge of the residential “downtown” neighborhood. Native flowers will be the priority, but we won’t ignore the ferns and low-growing shrubs. A list of expected flowers with basic descriptions will be provided for each person that they may keep if they so wish.

From the trailhead, we will climb about 300 feet in elevation to the Lake Tradition Plateau. Once on the Plateau, we will be on level, well-maintained trails mostly in a forested setting. 

The Plateau has had a protected status for many decades, even before the Issaquah Alps Trails Club came into existence.  Springs leaking out of the east side of the plateau were a major source of the town’s water supply for decades. Over time the city switched to wells and now supplements their well water supply with Cedar River water supplied by the Cascade Water Alliance, which purchases the water from the City of Seattle! 

Trailhead: East Sunset Way Trailhead (free parking)
Distance: ~3 miles
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Time: 2 hours
Hike Leader: David Kappler, 425-652-2753

Registration required. No pets allowed.

Feel free to contact events@issaquahalps.org with any questions about this event.