Squak Mountain

Squak Mountain

Squak Mountain (Southeast and Central Peaks) as seen from Poo Poo Point (east)
Highest point
Elevation 2,028 ft (618 m) [1]
Prominence 1,689 ft (515 m) [2]
Coordinates 47°29′47″N 122°02′18″W / 47.49639°N 122.03833°W / 47.49639; -122.03833 [1]
Geography
Location King County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range Issaquah Alps

Squak Mountain is the second most westerly mountain of the Issaquah Alps mountain chain in Washington state. It is situated between Cougar Mountain to the west and Tiger Mountain to the east. Interstate 90 parallels the base of the north side of the mountain. Much of the Squak Mountain watershed drains into Lake Sammamish. Most of the mountain is protected by Squak Mountain State Park and Cougar/Squak and Squak/Tiger Corridors of King County.

Squak Mountain actually consists of three major peaks: the Central Peak (Elevation 2024 feet), the West Peak (Elevation 1995 feet), and the Southeast Peak (Elevation 1673 feet).

The name "Squak" comes from the Southern Lushootseed placename /sqʷásxʷ/, which is also the source of the name Issaquah Creek and the city of Issaquah.[3][4]

History

Remains of the Bullitt Family home located on Squak Mountain.
Trientalis latifolia (broadleaf starflower) is a native perennial herb found on Squak Mountain.
Bufo boreas (western toad) is a native amphibian found on Squak Mountain.

Squak Mountain first appears in the history of European settlement after the discovery of coal on the mountain in 1859. This helped fuel the establishment of the first commercial coal mine in Issaquah, WA in 1862 and in Renton, WA in 1863. While there is no longer coal mining on Squak Mountain, the dangers posed by abandoned mines are one reason it has been preserved from development.[5]

Squak Mountain State Park was formed in 1972. The initial land grant of 590 acres to form the park was made by the Bullitt family. The initial grant was near the top and specified that the land remain in its natural state. These stipulations can still be seen today in the greater restrictions in park usage at the top of the mountain, on the original Bullitt family parcel. The remains of the Bullitt family home (just a foundation and fireplace) can be found in this original parcel.

Over time, the park has expanded to its current size of 1,545-acres through the acquisition of additional parcels of land.[6]

While generally a quiet and safe park, Squak Mountain has seen mayhem over the years.

The Park

The well-signed trail system consists mostly of abandoned roads that are narrowing to single-track trails, more so each year. One such road-trail leads to a foundation and fireplace that is the remnant of the Bullitt family summer home. Distant views are infrequent because of the forest. The major attraction of Squak Mountain is its urban wilderness.

Trails

Residential development in Issaquah extends to the park boundary to and elevation of about 1,100 feet (340 m). The park is accessed from a trailhead (elevation 740 ft or 230 m) at the hairpin turn of Mountainside Drive in the north, and the signed state park entrance on May Valley Road in the south (elevation 350 ft or 110 m). A lesser trailhead is found on the Renton-Issaquah Road on the west (elevation 400 ft or 120 m). Other trailheads may be reached via Sycamore Drive SE and Sunrise Place SE.

References

  1. 1 2 "Byron". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey.
  2. ↑ "Squak Mountain". Peakbagger.com.
  3. ↑ Bright, William (2004). Native American placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 187, 459. ISBN 978-0-8061-3598-4. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
  5. ↑ Ginderland, Sherry (October 27, 2005). "Hiker mines Eastside's coal-fired past". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "Complete information for Squak Mountain". Washington State Parks. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Pfarr, Tim (February 15, 2011). "Uncover the dark side of Issaquah". Issaquah Press. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Flying Tiger cargo plane crashes at the base of Squak Mountain south of Issaquah, killing seven, on January 7, 1953.". History Link. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "Trackers Hunt For Woman, 59, Missing In Hike". Seattle Times. May 6, 1991. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  10. ↑ Long, Katherine (May 7, 1991). "No Sign Of Woman Missing On Squak Mtn.". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Search Suspended For Hiker – Issaquah Woman Still Missing After Four Days On Squak Mountain". Seattle Times. May 8, 1991. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  12. ↑ Long, Katherine (May 10, 1991). "The Vanished Hiker – Puzzled Husband Retraces Fateful Walk On Squak Mt.". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  13. ↑ "Body Found On Squak Mountain". Seattle Times. April 27, 1992. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  14. ↑ "Body On Squak Mountain May Be Issaquah Hiker's". Seattle Times. April 27, 1992. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  15. ↑ "Bones Identified As Woman Hiker Missing For A Year – Cause Of Death Remains Unclear". Seattle Times. April 28, 1992. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  16. ↑ "Death of woman found on Squak Mountain is a mystery to authorities". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 5, 2004. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  17. ↑ Skolnik, Sam (December 1, 2004). "Woman who ran escort agency charged in roommate's death". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "Woman gets 27 months in slaying of friend". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. July 15, 2005. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  19. ↑ "About Tiger Mountain Flight Park". Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  20. ↑ Kagarise, Warren (August 9, 2011). "Paraglider pilot plummets to death near Squak Mountain". Issaquah Press. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
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