Poo Poo Point via Chirico Trail

With the weather getting cooler and more snow accumulating at higher elevations, I have been exploring the lowland hikes near Issaquah and North Bend. This past weekend, sunny skies were forecasted, so I wanted to take advantage of that and do a hike with a view. I had heard that the view from Poo Poo Point in Issaquah is phenomenal, so my boyfriend and I decided to check it out. Poo Poo Point can be reached from two trailheads. One starts at Issaquah High School for a longer, steeper hike, and the other starts at Chirico Trailhead and is shorter and more moderate. After a busy Thanksgiving week, we opted for the shorter hike starting at Chirico Trailhead. 

On the morning of our hike, it was really foggy, but we hoped that it would burn off before we reached Poo Poo Point. We got to the Chirico Trailhead at 8am and got the last spot in the parking lot. Apparently we were not the only ones wanting to take advantage of a sunny day in late November. Something to note about the trailhead: it is next to the landing zone of Tiger Mountain Paragliding. Many paragliders actually take off from the top of Poo Poo Point, so depending on the day, you may be able to watch them!

Foggy forest

The first part of the trail was full of typical Pacific Northwest foliage: vibrant ferns and luscious moss.  These plants are so common in this area of the country, but I am still in awe of them. The fog made the forest feel even more moody and magical. 

Even though this trail is rated as “moderate,” the elevation gain was a little steep in the beginning. It was just enough to help me warm up and get the blood flowing. As we climbed, we began to rise above the fog. We were still in the trees, but I knew the view at the top would be incredible with the fog low in the valley.

Rising through the fog

After hiking for about 1.7 miles, we emerged from the forest and reached the first viewpoint. The valleys below us were still filled with thick, swirly fog and gave an illusion that we were above the clouds. Indeed, there was not a cloud in the sky above us, and we could see for miles. Mt. Rainier, freshly dusted with snow, dominated the view to the south. This viewpoint is not actually the top of Poo Poo Point, so we continued on after taking in the incredible landscape for a few minutes.

Mt. Rainier from the viewpoint

At this point, the trail continues to the east, back into the woods. But there is also a road that curves to the south. My boyfriend and I missed the trail and continued on that road. We didn’t even realize that it wasn’t the trail until I looked at the map. Thankfully, the road still looped around to the top of the mountain, so we continued on it for about a half a mile until we reached the point.

Top of Poo Poo Point: Olympics on the left, Mt. Baker on the right

There was even more fog in the valleys on this side of the mountain. It was as if we were staring out over a white ocean. To the west, the snow dusted Olympics were on display, and Mt. Baker presided over the landscape to the north. Seeing Mt. Baker was especially exciting for me as I have not done many hikes that have allowed me to catch a glimpse of her. 

After taking pictures and admiring the amazing landscape, my boyfriend and I returned to the first viewpoint to enjoy our snacks. This time, we found the trail and didn’t have to walk back down the road. We basked in the sunlight and drank in the view of Mt. Rainier for a little while before heading back down the trail. Soon, we were back below the fog, amongst the ferns and moss.

Mt. Rainier peeking through the trees