Margaret’s Way to Debbie’s View
Excellent views on the quiet Issaquah Alp
Quick Facts:
Location: Squak Mountain, Issaquah Alps
Land Agency: King County Parks, Washington State Parks
Distance: 7.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 1600 feet
Contact: Squak Mountain State Park and King County Parks
Green Trails Map: Green Trails Cougar Mtn/ Squak Mtn No. 203S
Notes: dogs permitted on leash
Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails Eastside (Mountaineers Books)
Access: From Bellevue follow I-405 south to I-90 and then head east taking Exit 15 in Issaquah. Turn right onto State Route 900 (17th Ave NW) and proceed for 3.3 miles to trailhead at the Cougar/ Squak Corridor on your left.
Good to Know: dog-friendly, kid-friendly, snow-free winter hike, Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Known as the quiet Issaquah Alp, Squak Mountain sees a fraction of the hikers than its neighbors, Cougar and Tiger Mountains. Part of the reason behind that is the perceived lack of views on Squak. And while Squak does come up short in the views department, its mature forests, well-built trail and lighter use are sure to please many hikers. And if you follow Margaret’s Trail to Debbie’s View you get a great trail experience complete with decent views!
The trail starts in the old Issaquah Highlands Recreational Club—a sprawling RV park and campground on the west slope of Squak Mountain. The club closed and was sold to a logging company in 2012. The Issaquah Alps Club however realized that this 226-acre parcel would serve the community better in its natural state, and mounted a campaign to save it. Through help by the Trust for Public Land, King County Parks was able to purchase it for $5 million. The park agency then added this large forested tract housing the headwaters of Tibbets Creek to the Cougar/ Squak Corridor Park bringing its total to more than 700 acres—and connecting these two Issaquah Alps.
The trail was named for Issaquah City Parks Planner Margaret Macleod who died of cancer in 2013. Begin your hike up the old campground to the trail. As you wind up the heavily forested slopes—notice the old campsites and hookups. Upon leaving the old campground, the trail travels through younger forest and intersects with an old road. The old road soon ends and true trail resumes coming to a viewpoint over the May Creek Valley. At 1.1 miles a spur leads right to a much better view. Here enjoy views south and west to Lake Washington.
The trail next enters attractive mature timber and descends to a gap. The way then passes through a ravine and crosses Tibbets Creek. The way then climbs along the northern edge of the ravine, crosses a small creek, and climbs in earnest via a series of short switchbacks reaching a junction with the Chybinski Loop Trail. Head right and soon come to a junction with the Perimeter Loop Trail. Take this trail right and come to a junction. Take the short spur right to Debbie’s View and enjoy the view south to Mount Rainier! Despite the fact that the massive Cedar Hills Regional Landfill is just below—this view doesn’t stink at all!
For more detailed information on this hike and 59 more in the Issaquah Alps and surrounding area, pick up a copy of my Urban Trails Eastside book.
And consider picking up several of my other titles for you or for Christmas and Holiday gifts for your hiking friends and family.
