Talus Caves - Tiger Mt.
| Distance: | 0 miles | |
| Time: | 0 hours | |
| Elevation Gain: | 0ft | |
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Description:
Begin hiking from the Tradition Plateau trailhead and walk the Bus Trail -- actually a road, and yes, there really is an abandoned vintage Greyhound bus near the trail.
Go about a quarter-mile, cross a bridge, and look for a Cave trail marker on the left within about 200 yards. Follow this trail for about 1.5 miles, hiking up a ravine and creek drainage. You may find a rusty steel cable along the trail. This is left over junk from when the area was logged in the 1930's. You will cross the creek a few more times, each bridge getting smaller as you go up in elevation. Just when you think you are deep within the mountain woods, you will come upon some rather large rocks and boulders. You are getting very close to the caves now. A trail is come in from the right, follow the main trtail to the left, and from now where, you will be amongst HUGE BOULDERS surrounded by trees. These boulders are easily as big as a car, bus, or house. You have arrived at the Talus Caves. Unfortunately, the largest cave is now closed to the public for BAT habitat. It has a wooden fence across the opening. but there are other caves about, just look for them.
If you have ever read "The Hobbit", by JRR Tolkien, these caves might be the entrance to where Gollum lived in the Misty Mountains, so be very careful, or you might find something you don't want.
Directions:
Drive east on I-90 and look for Exit 20 beyond Issaquah. From the exit turn right on the frontage road and drive a short distance to the gate turnaround. If the gate is open, drive to the parking lot. If the gate is closed, walk 6/10 of a mile past the gate to the Tradition Plateau trailhead (elevation 500 feet), which offers restrooms, a shelter and picnic tables.
