Trip Report
Day Hike - West Tiger Mountain 3-2-1 Nook/Section down Preston/TMT to Tiger3 trail
We had amazing sun breaks at West Tiger 1 for an early lunch. The changes in just four days are astounding: no snow until 500' from the summits, and crampons are only needed on the upper reaches of the mountains.
Courtenay Schurman
- Tue, Feb 18, 2025
- West Tiger Mountain 1-2-3
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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What a difference 20 degrees and four days make! The parking lot is no longer a sheet of ice as temperatures in the 45-50 degrees range the past few days have melted a ton of the snow from the lower third of Tiger. Restrooms are clean enough and stocked with toilet paper. Snow is melting very quickly. W. Tiger 3 summit is bare, mud over to Tiger 2, and Tiger 1 still has snow.
Ten of us headed up from Tradition Parking Lot at 7:40 and did a massive loop: Nook/Section up to W. Tiger 3, over to 2 and 1, down Preston, to the Railroad Grade/TMT and down West Tiger 3. 5:21 moving time, Gaia had us ranging from 8.8-9.75 miles (you be the judge!) with about 2800' gain.
We enjoyed sun breaks for an early lunch at the summit of Tiger 1, 12 bird species (including a few brown creepers, Canada jays -- what some were calling gray jays -- and pileated woodpeckers), lovely mosses, and mushrooms. The trail is completely passable, although, with recent warming temperatures and rapid melting, it's quite muddy down below.
We all had spikes and at least one pole apiece for the last .5 miles to the summit of W. Tiger 3 and kept them on until rejoining W. Tiger 3 after our massive loop. A lovely day for us all.
