South Tiger Traverse Trail to Tiger Mountain Trail - 8.5 miles

Tiger Mountain has a host of different trails and multiple access points. Today, I chose to start at the southern end of the Tiger Mountain Trail. The trail-head is not incredibly well marked. There is a small area to park along Tiger Mountain Road SE. I walked up and across the road to the start of the trail.

Start of the Tiger Mountain Trail just across the road from the pull out.
It is not very well marked.

 Just up the path about 50 feet, this is the sign marking the start of the trail.

Southern end of the Tiger Mountain Trail.

The route I took today was to follow the Tiger Mountain Trail (TMT) to where it meets the South Tiger Traverse Trail. It is not marked on the map, but heads directly north (and up), past South Tiger summit and meets up again to the TMT. I plotted my hike on the map in blue.

TMT to South Tiger Traverse Trail and back via the TMT.

The trail has a moderate but very steady grade from the very start and doesn't level out until near the South Tiger summit trail. Be aware that it is a good cardio workout for the first three miles. At the junction with the South Tiger Powerline trail, there are some spectacular views across the Covington and Kent valleys.

South Tiger Traverse trail meets up with the South Tiger Powerline Trail.

View of the Covington and Kent valley.

 The trail continues uphill through dense forest, with interesting old trees intermixed.

Old tree with woodpecker holes.

 Occasionally the trail crosses small streams.

Bob on a bridge over one of the several small streams along the way.

Most of the trail had tall salmon berries along each side, which reached above my head. If you walk the trail, I suggest wearing long pants and a long-sleeve shirt, because there are some healthy stinging nettles along the path in many areas.

Much of the trail has tall brush, with salmon berries, stinging nettles and ferns.

 This is an interesting snail making its way across a mossy log.

Snail on a mossy log

 Although the loop route passes by Carkin's Cliff, I found it more like just a very steep slope, rather than a cliff. Perhaps if there wasn't so much brush I could have seen the cliff?

TMT as it passes by Carkin's Cliff. I couldn't see the cliff, just a very steep hillside.

 Many of the plants are blooming. This one was especially pretty.

Many of these plants are blooming along the trail. Not sure what it is.

 There are several small ponds and pools as well. This one had pretty reflections of the vine maple.

Vine maple reflecting in a pond.

 The devils club were very healthy as well. This one had leaves back-lit by the sun.

Devils Club leaves in the sun.

The hike took me almost exactly three hours to complete the 8.5 mile loop. I would rate the first three miles as moderately strenuous, since the trail climbs steadily from the road. The rest of the trail is easy as there are a few ups and downs until you reach the TMT.

Be aware that, although the map shows a trail to the top of South Tiger, I did not see any sign marking the trail. At one point there is an unmarked trail heading in the direction of the summit, but it did not look very well used.

The TMT on the return trip is easy to follow, and generally heads downhill.

It was a very enjoyable trip and I especially liked the sound of distant streams and a beautiful forest drenched in sunlight.