Some of the longer or more difficult hikes are only listed in the IATC quarterly Newsletter, the Alpiner. The Alpiner includes articles on hiking, on trail maintenance, on conservation issues, and much more along with the full schedule of club events. Please consider joining the Issaquah Alps Trails Club and making a donation. For a annual contribution of $15 or more, you will recieve the Alpiner newsletter.

Most hikes meet on
Rainier Blvd S
at SE Bush St in Issaquah, WA
unless the schedule says otherwise. This location is just East of the Trails Center at 110 SE Bush St. The Trails Center is a small yellow house in an open area. There is plenty of parking.

• Very easy up to 4 miles, up to 600' gain, for beginning hikers
• Easy up to 6 miles, 600-1200' gain, not difficult for occasional hikers
• Moderate up to 10 miles, 1200-2500' gain, usually not difficult for regular hikers
• Strenuous up to 12 miles, 2500-3500' gain, only for experienced hikers in good physical condition
• Very Strenuous over 12 miles or over 3500' gain, only for experienced hikers in very good physical and aerobic condition

No Dogs are allowed on any event unless the event explicitly states 'Dogs Welcome' in the schedule

Please consider carpooling from the meeting place to the trailhead. We recommend you give your driver a contribution for gas ($0.15/mile, $1.00 minimum)

Water
Food
Rain-Gear
Warm Clothes
Hiking Footwear

Hikers always must have hiking footwear and clothing appropriate for the weather. You should consider bringing the other items from the Ten Essentials:.

1. Navigation (map and compass)
   
2. Sun Protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
   
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
   
4. Illumination (flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries)
   
5. First-Aid Supplies
   
6. Fire (Matches and fire starter: waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
   
7. Repair Kit and Tools
   
8. Nutrition (extra food)
   
9. Hydration (extra water)
   
10. Emergency Shelter
    

Other Suggestions:

• Signaling Devices
  
• Toilet Paper and a Trowel
  
• Daypack
  
• Passes (State, National, etc.)
  
• Knowledge
  Having items in your pack has no value unless you understand how to use them. Consider when lost in the woods that travel may be the wrong thing to do. The definition of "lost" is that you don't know where you are or which way to go, so don't travel. March in circles if you need to keep warm, but putting miles between yourself and your last known location decreases the likelihood you'll be found by searchers. As one search-and-rescue leader told us, "People talk about the Ten Essentials, but the most important essential is between your ears."

Knowing the likely weather can help you plan what to bring. Some forcasts are available from:

• Hour by Hour Weather Forecast for Issaquah - weather.com
• 10 Day Weather Forecast for Issaquah - weather.com
• Weather Forecast Issaquah - Weather Underground
• Issaquah Weather Forecast - weathercentral.com
• Issaquah Weather - AccuWeather Forecast
• Issaquah Weather Forecast & Conditions - weatherforyou.com
• Weather Issaquah WA Weather Forecast - Find Local Weather

Bears are encountered in the Issaquah Alps. Hikers, hunters, fisherman, and all others who use the outdoors for a recreational or work related function are advised to take extra precautions while in the field.

While in the outdoors, you are advised to wear little noisy bells on your clothing to give advanced warning to any bears that might be close by so that you do not take them by surprise.

You are advised to carry "Pepper Spray" in a handy exterior location where you can reach it quickly. You are advised to be familiar with its use.

You are advised to watch for fresh bear activity.

You are advised to avoid coming between a mother bear and her cubs. She may take this to be a threat to her cubs.

You are advised to be able to tell the difference between Black Bear feces and Grizzly Bear feces. Black Bear feces are smaller and contain lots of berries and rodent fur. Grizzly Bear feces have little bells in them and smell like pepper.