Taylor Mountain Loop

The Taylor Mountain – Rattlesnake Mountain – Tiger Mountain route is gaining a lot of attention these days so I figured I’d better pen a story about the trip Eric and I did a few weeks back.

Eric and I both live on Mercer Island so we left from home and headed south to Renton.  From there we followed the Cedar River Trail to SE 216^th St, just south of Highway 18.  We turned left onto SE 216^th and rode east to Issaquah-Hobart road.  From there it’s a quick left and then a right onto SE 208^th St.

SE 208^th St runs nearly due east gaining a bit over 1000 feet in 8 miles.  Sometimes the climbing is gradual, sometimes it’s in your face.  Eventually we came to a “No Trespassing” sign where we turned left past a sturdy yellow gate and commenced a steep rough climb.  From here it’s descent gravel riding all the way down to a large power station.

At the power station Eric and I descended some unpleasant chunky railroad ballast which quickly petered out to a trail turned streambed.  The streambed – definitely hike-a-bike – took us under Highway 18.  Once under the highway we were able to remount and followed a narrow path out to a residential road that led to the Upper Preston Road.

From here it’s a fast downhill drop into Issaquah along the Grand Ridge access trail.  Eric had to be home for a teleconference so we put the hammer down and pushed hard all the way back to Mercer Island.

If you live in or around Seattle this is a good middle distance, mixed media ride with low traffic road miles.  This is a really good route for those looking for a mid-week early evening escape from the city.

Link to the route: https://www.strava.com/activities/3437471766