Robert called and suggested we do Granite Mountain again. After Mt Rainier and ice ax arrest practice, he was now ready to cross the steep snow tongue in the avalanche chute. But on the way, it started to rain, and we decided to play pool for a while in our Community Center. Around 11am, it cleared up, so we headed out for lunch and a shorter hike up Tiger Mountain.
We went to the parasail field on Hobart Road. Parasailing folks hike up a 1700' elevation gain 2-mile one way trail, and launch themselves off the summit at Poo Poo Point. It is not uncommon on a hot summer day to have a dozen or more parasailers, floating over Poo Poo Point on Tiger Mountain. But today was rainy, so no parasailers.
It was a steep trail, and I as always was struggling to keep up with Robert. But we made it to the top and enjoyed a beautiful if somewhat soggy view out over Issaquah and Lake Sammamish. It took us an hour and a half to go up, and the same amount of time to go down.
Robert continues his concerned and solicitous, "Are you sure ready for Mt Adams yet, you seeemed to have a lot of trouble with this wimpy trail", line of questioning. I appreciate his concern, but I know from experience that Mt Si is the really separator of men-from-boys on climbing Mt Adams, and a few weeks ago, we knocked in Mt Si in acceptable manner (3-1/2 hours up, 2-1/2 hours down), so reassure him I can do it, albeit slower than when I was younger.
Here's a topographical map of our trail.
Here is Robert putting on Moleskin prior to our hike up Tiger Mountain
Here is a Paragliding sign at the trailhead
You can see a windsock at the far end, and a bit of Tiger Mountain.
An hour and a half later, here we are approaching the summit, a large grassy field
Here are a mother and daughter looking out over all creation from the parasail launch site
Robert is striding out across the launch Astroturf towards the launch dropoff.
Robert and I are attempting to fly, but it takes a parasail, fluttering hands won't do the job. You can see Issaquah and Lake Sammamish (just above my head) in the background. You can see a corner of the green astroturf on the lower right corner of the photo, where the parasailers launch off this dropoff.
Here is a funny sign about "No launching from here while horses are present".
Well, after lunch, we reenter the dark forest to descend the mountain
Here's Robert trekking on down, about half way down. This was a rare fairly level spot. Most of the trail is steep, though a good trail.
Finally back to the comforts of civilization, where we have cars and soft dry seats.
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