This I-90 hike near Seattle climbs to a Mount Rainier view on clear days, and fall is the time to go

Some hikes tease you with a view the whole way up. West Tiger 1 makes you wait, then lines up Mount Rainier right in front of you at the viewpoint, as long as the clouds agree to play along.

It’s a forest climb of around 7 miles round trip on Tiger Mountain, right off the I-90 corridor. Fall is when the second-growth woods start looking their best, so ready to lace up?

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What the climb asks of you

Expect around 7 miles round trip and somewhere between 2,000 and 2,500 feet of climbing, depending on which route and which source you trust. Washington Trails Association rates it moderate to hard, and that sounds about right for a trail that spends most of its time going up.

The route starts near the High Point trailhead, off I-90 at Exit 20. It heads through second-growth forest to the West Tiger 1 summit, then continues to a viewpoint just west of the top.

The view is just past the summit

Here’s the part that trips people up: the summit itself has no view because of an electronics tower. The payoff is at the viewpoint a short walk west, where on a clear day Mount Rainier sits directly in front of you and part of the Olympics shows up off to the right.

My one firm opinion: wait for a clear forecast. This is a lot of climbing to spend on a gray wall of cloud, and a bluebird fall day is exactly when the effort pays off.

Want something flatter?

Tiger Mountain has an easy side too. The Tradition Lakes loop on the Tradition Plateau runs about 2.9 miles round trip with roughly 150 feet of gain, passing Tradition Lake, tiny Round Lake, and a viewing platform. It’s mostly forested, with ferns, moss, and a sign on the Big Tree Trail estimating one tree at 200 to 400 years old.

You’ll likely hear I-90 traffic near the Brink Trail, so don’t expect total silence. Dogs are allowed on a leash on both routes.

Before you go

Parking here takes a Discover Pass. The days are shorter this time of year, so start early and toss a headlamp in your pack.

Tiger Mountain fits neatly into our list of the best day trips from Seattle. Which sounds better to you, the big Rainier climb or the mossy lake loop?

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, and lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone.

Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.

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