Supporter Spotlight: Greg Wagner
This month, we’re proud to feature Greg Wagner, a dedicated IATC member whose love for the Issaquah Alps began with local conservation efforts and has grown into a deep commitment to stewardship, discovery, and the community that makes these trails so special.
Photo courtesy of Greg Wagner.
By Greg Wagner
I first learned about the Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) while looking into the Save Coal Creek efforts. I had recently retired, and as someone who loves hiking, it was exciting to discover a local group where I could not only enjoy the trails but also learn about the history of the area and the local plant life. Before joining, I had never really paid attention to the difference between a hemlock, a western red cedar, and a Douglas fir, but IATC hikes gave me a chance to notice and appreciate these details.
View through the trees from the Cougar Mountain Lookout on the Shybear Trail. Photo courtesy of Greg Wagner.
Hiking with IATC has been such a rewarding experience. I love exploring the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and have walked many of the trails multiple times. But a couple of years ago, I went on a hike with my daughter, and an IATC leader pointed out a number of mostly visible artifacts from the old coal mining days. These were things I had walked past countless times without ever realizing they were there. And to top it all off, we even saw a bear taking a swim—a moment I’ll never forget.
A bear taking a swim in the Klondike Marsh by the Clay Pit Road (taken on an IATC hike). Photo courtesy of Greg Wagner.
What keeps me coming back to the Issaquah Alps is the IATC itself. The organization is so selfless; it’s about much more than just going on a hike. Its true goal is stewardship—to preserve this amazing piece of nature so that it can be enjoyed by everyone, not just today but for future generations. That mission resonates deeply with me and gives every hike a greater purpose.
View of May Valley from the De Leo Wall area (taken on an IATC hike). Photo courtesy of Greg Wagner.
As mentioned, my favorite place to hike is the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Part of the reason is practical: I can walk there easily from my house, and I have to admit, I get a little smug walking past all the cars in the parking lots. But it’s also because the area offers so many different trails that I never feel like I’m doing the same hike twice. From my house, it’s about a 45-minute walk up to the Sky Country trailhead and the Nike Missile field, and from there I often branch off onto Fred’s Railroad Trail, which opens up even more options. Every time I’m out there, I’m amazed and thrilled that all of this is essentially in my backyard.
My wife, Ilyse, and I snowshoeing in Lewis Creek Park. Photo courtesy of Greg Wagner.
As we move into spring and summer, I’m especially looking forward to getting back on the trails once they dry out. During the winter, I usually stick to neighborhood walks—slipping in the mud on the trails isn’t appealing, especially at my age (55+). But once the trails are mostly dry, I can’t stay away. There’s something rejuvenating about the sunshine, the new growth in the forest, and being part of the IATC community. It’s a combination of nature, learning, and camaraderie that keeps me coming back season after season.
A beautiful day at the Nike Missile Field. Photo courtesy of Greg Wagner.