Tiger Mountain Trailhead Traditional Cache
Shaddow: Almost replaced it yesterday but instead decided that it's time to let it go
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Tiger Mountain Trailhead is the main trailhead on the east side of the mountain. While there is a lot of hiking here as on other parts of the mountain, this area is most well known for its excellent mountain biking.
Topo Map
This is not at all a pretty trailhead, in fact it’s simply a beat up gravel parking lot full of large and deep water filled potholes and the trails don’t even start here, you must first walk up one of two access roads blocked by bright blue steel swing gates. It does, however, serve its primary function well as there is plenty of parking. But that’s it, there no facilities here: no bathrooms; no running water; no picnic tables. Also, don’t leave valuables in your car as this is a popular car prowler stop.
The Gates and Information Sign
So far, besides the cache, I’ve given you little incentive to visit here. The payoff is the wonderful hiking and mountain biking hiding out of sight above you. Once you start in enough to lose view of the parking area, and especially far enough to lose the highway noise, you will be rewarded with beautiful and serene trails and views.
The Parking Area and Highway 18
Though this is the same park as the heavier used west side, this side of the mountain provides much more solitude and backcountry experience; you’ll feel like you are far from any town or homes, let alone 25 minutes from the intersection of two interstate highways and 35 minutes from the center of a major city.
Some Trails Have Seasonal Closures
Getting there:
Take Highway 18 to the summit and the trailhead is on the west side of the highway. Note that sight distance is limited and the speeds are high, 60 mph speed limit and most vehicles are going faster, so be prepared for the turn before you see it or you may drive past, and if so, you will need to drive a mile or two before being able to turn around because the highway is divided by concrete barriers.
Also, due to the same limited sight distance and high vehicle speeds, take significant care when exiting and entering the highway. For the northeast bound lanes, a center exit turn lane and an entrance merge lane is provided for some increased safety though crossing the southwest bound lanes, especially for entering the highway during high traffic times, can be treacherous.
The Cache
A small and tall lock and lock. You can approach directly from the parking area but it might be easier to first go around behind and approach from the gated dirt road. A hint is provided if you can’t come up with the goods.
More Information
East Tiger Mountain
by summitpost.org
Hike Reviews: Middle Tiger - East Tiger Summit Loop
by summitpost.org
Hike review: East Tiger Mountain
by trimbleoutdoors.com
Mountain Biking Information
by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
Weather
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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[Spoiler (text backwards)] frupaneo jby rug erqah gutvf enryp av qan rreg yynzf n sb rfno rug gn atvf qyb rug qavuro grrs arg ghbon