Tiger Mountain Train Wreck Site

Total Training miles today - 14.8 miles

Since Patti is still out wandering in the beautiful Chelan area, Debbie and I decided to walk on Tiger Mountain. And, since she had never been there, I decided to go to the Tiger Mountain train wreck site.

I have previously blogged about this, so if you are interested in driving directions and trail locations, check my previous blog.

I picked up Debbie at 5:30 and we were to the trail head by 6 AM. Debbie now has everything she needs in her pack. I told her to leave out the two liter water container, since it just adds another four pounds, and there is plenty of water where we are going.

There were a lot of low clouds on the way, but they appeared to be breaking up as we started up the trail. The trees looked awesome in the fog.

Trees in the fog!

This is a good hike because it challenges you with some uphill walking right at the start. And, just as you are getting tired and out of breath, it levels off and then gently heads down for another mile.

Debbie reaches the end of the Iverson Railroad Trail

We reached the West Tiger Road and walked the road to the Tiger Mountain Trail. We just barely squeezed through the gate with our packs. The gate is supposed to keep the mountain bikers and horse riders off the trail, but there is another trail that skirts the gate for those who don't want to obey the rules.

We arrived at the train wreck site and checked out all of the artifacts. We were tempted to follow the artifacts trail up the hill, but it was blocked by a number of blow downs.

Instead, we headed up the hill to an area that is supposed to have good views of the valley. Unfortunately, it was too foggy.

We headed back and met several others who were just heading out on their hikes.

It took us just over two hours and was a great way to start the morning!

I am so glad to have Debbie hiking with me again. She is eager to train for her trip in August up the Eagle Creek trail in Oregon. I'll have to find some good trails for us to follow!

Bob and Debbie on the trail

If you are interested in some of the history of the Train Wreck, check out this good summary here.

Tiger Mountain Loop - 16 miles

I noticed on the map of Tiger Mountain that it would be possible to do a loop hike, IF I was willing to walk a few more miles.

Me, walk more miles? Give me a challenge, new trails, and time, and I'm off!

I arrived at the trail head at 6:30 and headed out on the Northwest Timber Trail. The grade was easy and the forest was spectacular. Over several of the streams there are sturdy wooden bridges. Birds were flitting from branch to branch. At one point the trail breaks out with a view across the valley.

There are several areas with moss-covered limbs.

I stood under an ancient stump.

One of the many wooden bridges over rushing streams.

Views of the surrounding hills from the Northwest Timber trail.

The Northwest timber trail exits onto the Tiger Mountain Road. I headed north, walking for almost two miles. The road is an easy walk (mostly level) with only one climb. There are several new trails heading up the mountain from the road, but they were not marked.

I finally arrived at the Preston Railroad Trail, which was well marked.

Start of the Preston Railroad Trail. 

I followed the Preston Railroad trail for three miles. It switch-backs up East Tiger mountain with an easy but steady grade. This is a popular trail used by mountain bikers, who travel down the trail. I saw five bikers who were all very friendly.

View while walking up the Preston Railroad Trail.

At the top, the trail exits onto the Main Tiger Mountain Road. I headed west on the road and then headed up a spur road about a half mile to where the Middle Tiger Trail starts.

Spur road leading to the Middle Tiger Trail.

There were some good views across the valley to West Tiger Mountain. Along the top are many cell and radio towers.

View of West Tiger Mountain.

 The Middle Tiger Trail joins to the Tiger Mountain Trail. I had walked this section of the trail last week and it goes by the train wreck site and then exits to the West Side Road 1000. I headed down the road and took the Iverson Railroad Trail back to the car.

Headed up the Iverson Railroad Trail

 The map below shows the route I took (blue line).

The loop route (blue). I walked it counter-clockwise. The distance is about 16 miles.

This hike was mostly easy walking, with a few steep sections. I was pleasantly surprised that the Preston Railroad Trail was an easy grade. The Middle Tiger Trail is the only one I would consider difficult, especially coming down from the top of Middle Tiger to where the trail meets the Tiger Mountain Trail.

Tiger Mountain - Train Wreck Site and Middle Tiger Summit - 9 miles round trip

I have discovered Tiger Mountain.
Sure, it's always been there. And, just about everyone else in the Seattle area has hiked or biked there.

Now I'm hooked.
I found a map on the Siwtchbacks.com site and read an article about a fatal train wreck on the mountain and a trail that leads to it. I couldn't resist.

I got to the trail-head at 6:40 AM and drove to the upper parking lot. I was the only one there!
There was a map of the trails on the mountain, and I have annotated it to show where I was headed.

My starting point (You are Here), the train wreck site, and Middle Tiger peak

 The sun was just rising, and was beautiful through the forest. The first part of the hike was two miles up a gravel road. There were several splashing streams along the way, many wildflowers, and birds singing in the trees. It was magical!

Sun peeking through the trees

 At just over two miles, I found the turn off to the Tiger Mountain Trail. It was well marked. In another half mile, I came to where the trail made a sharp left turn. About ten yards ahead was a small sign on a tree identifying the Artifact trail.

Artifact trail sign - it's not very big and would be easy to miss.

 Just ahead lies the wreckage, or what's left of it. There are iron wheels, twisted metal and further on, the remains of a rail car, although twisted beyond recognition. The story goes that the train was carrying a load of logs and lost its brakes. At this spot, the tracks turned and crossed over Holder Creek. The train was traveling too fast and flew off the tracks, killing one man. Most of the wreckage was salvaged, but it still is interesting to look about and imagine what it must have been like almost 100 years ago.

Wheels from one of the train cars.

I made a short video at the site.

Heading back to the Tiger Mountain Trail, I decided to head on up since it was still early in the morning. The trail crossed a logging road and there were views of the Kent valley. It was too hazy to see much detail, but on a clear day, it would have been fantastic.

View NE towards the Kent valley.

On the way, there were a few views of Mount Rainier through the trees.

Mount Rainier in the distance

 I then came to the Middle Tiger Trail. At only 1/2 mile, I figured it would be a quick trip. What the sign DIDN'T say, was that it was 1/2 mile straight UP!

Middle Tiger Trail - only 1/2 mile

Well, I was here to do some body conditioning, and body conditioning I got! I drank almost a liter of water on the way up, which took me forty minutes. I obviously was not moving very fast. At the top, I was disappointed in that it was completely forested. No view. There was, however, a tepee of sorts, built from branches.

Tepee at the top of Middle Tiger

I took a break, pulled off my shoes and socks, and let my feet cool. I was midway through with eating my Snicker's candy bar, when I thought, hey, I could make a quick video. Memo to self: don't try to narrate a video with food still in your mouth! Also, get the name of the mountain right. It's Middle Tiger.

As the wind was beginning to pick up, I headed back. 

I only saw six people during the entire hike, and they were on cross-country bikes, and were just riding up the road about a mile from the parking lot. It was a great day and I am excited to explore more trails at my next opportunity.