Poo Poo Point Map and Weather and Other Trail Questions You Want Answered

Poo Poo Point is a popular destination in Issaqua, Washington that is located on Tiger Mountain.

Many people like to hike Poo Poo Point trail, which ascends Tiger Mountain and leads hikers to a picturesque knoll often used as a launching pad for paragliders and hang gliders.

In this article, we discuss Poo Poo Point in greater depth.

In each section, we pose a question related to this area and provide an in-depth answer.

Towards the end, we offer our final thoughts regarding the future of Poo Poo Point.

Where Exactly is Poo Poo Point Located?

Poo Poo Point is located on the west shoulder of Tiger Mountain, which is located in Tiger Mountain State Forest.

This is mere minutes away from downtown Issaqua.

Tiger Mountain State Forest spans almost 14000 acres of land. Many other parks and conservation areas are nearby, including Lake Sammamish State Park, Squak Mountain State Park, and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.

This area is about 20 miles east of Seattle, Washington and about 70 miles north of Mount Rainier.

Poo Poo Point affords visitors unparalleled views of Mount Rainier.

Luckily, due to modern technology, you don’t have to memorize the precise whereabouts of Poo Poo Point. Many online websites, like AllTrails, offer extensive maps of the area that visitors can print off beforehand.

What’s the Weather Like at Poo Poo Point?

Poo Poo Point experiences the extremes of the seasons.

The winters experience lots of snow while the summers are mild and very pleasant. Temperatures can even get into the 80’s in the summer.

The peak season for visiting Poo Poo Point is definitely during the summer, though many hikers also love going during the winter when the higher elevations are snow covered. This can be made for a beautiful hike with less crowds.

Many visitors recommend checking the weather forecast before planning your trip. If the area has recently rained, the conditions can be slippery and not ideal for hiking.

Since hiking up to Poo Poo Point entails an elevation gain, many visitors recommend bring extra layers if not going during the summer. Sometimes the summit can be 10-20 degrees cooler than the base.

Where Did Poo Poo Point Get Its Name?

Perhaps the most common question related to the Poo Poo Point concerns the origin of its name.

The name refers to the sound that logging whistles make. Logging was a common activity in the area in the early 20th century.

While we’re on the subject of names, we might as well discuss the origin of Tiger Mountain.

Legend has it that this mountain was named after a Bengal tiger that escaped after a train accident in the early 20th century.

Apparently, the tiger was never found.

What Are the Benefits of Poo Poo Point?

Poo Poo Point Trail is a 7.2-mile out and back trail that features an 1800-foot elevation gain. Its highest point is over 2000 feet above sea level.

This is a steep trail that offers hikers a challenging ascent as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Due to its length and constant elevation gain, many people use the trail in order to train for more strenuous hikes.

The knoll that the trail leads to is a great spot for relaxing and spending time with loved ones. There are several pick nick tables that would make a great location for a party or gathering.

Even if you’re by yourself, the area is also full of excitement since many paragliders and hang gliders use it as launching pad for their adventures. Many people like to come to the knoll and people watch, as these daring endeavors are fascinating to observe.

Some people even claim that Poo Poo Point is what incited their interest in paragliding or hang gliding. After watching people launch from the knoll, these people claim they were suddenly inspired to try the activity.

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What are the Drawbacks of Poo Poo Point?

Many people claim that Poo Poo Point is extremely crowded regardless of what time of day you go. Some people claim they went at 7am and still didn’t beat the crowds.

In this sense, if you’re looking for a solitary hike isolated from any sign of civilization, then Poo Poo Point might not be the ideal location for you.

These crowds are only exacerbated on the weekends and during the summer.

Many people like to bring their dogs, which can be disruptive due to their barking and general commotion. Some visitors have noted that dog poop is common on the trail, which can be annoying to dodge as you hike.

Additionally, some people think that the paragliders and hang gliders distract from appreciating the beauty of nature. Many people like to escape to Tiger Mountain State Forest to disconnect from modern technology. These people consider the area to be a sacred space that is sullied by the emphasis on paragliding and hang gliding.

Many hikers have also noted that Poo Poo Point trail can be dangerous during the early winter months when snow hasn’t fallen yet but temperatures are still below freezing. It can be difficult in these conditions to recognize icy or slippery patches when ascending or descending, and this can lead to injury. Consequently, Poo Poo Point can be deceptive at times if you’re not careful.

Some hikers have noted that because the trail is narrow, it’s possible to get stuck behind a group of slow hikers. This can interfere with your workout routine, especially if you’re trying to set a personal best.

Hikers that want to avoid any interferences while exercising might be better off on a more isolated trail, as Poo Poo Point Trail can get very congested during the peak hours.

What Are Some Tips for Visiting Poo Poo Point?

Due to the crowds, we recommend going as early or late as possible to Poo Poo Point. Perhaps consider catching a sunrise or sunset there, as these times can be magical.

We recommend bringing plenty of food and water with you if you plan on doing the full 7-mile roundtrip. At the same time, you don’t want to over-pack, as this will weigh you down on an already strenuous hike.

We advise that you bring some kind of trail mix with nuts and dried fruit, as these foods are not only delicious and nutritious but very filling and lightweight.

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Many people like to make food ahead of time and then pack a picnic. This can certainly be done, but keep in mind that the more you bring, the more limited you will be as you hike. Some people embrace this challenge, viewing the food as a kind of weight to be used for strength training. This can be an effective approach, though we don’t recommend it.

Generally, we think it’s best to focus on your hike to Poo Poo Point as more of an exercise. In this sense, you want to make sure you have plenty of supportive foods and water with electrolytes. After you finish the hike, you can always have a larger meal or picnic elsewhere.

Coconut water would make a great drink to take with you, as its natural electrolytes will help your body replenish itself after hiking close to 7 miles.

What Are Some Tips for Making Trail Mix?

In terms of trail mix, we recommend making your own, as this will give you maximum control over what ingredients you use.

Many store-bought varieties of trail mix have added sugar, oils, and various foods that not all customers enjoy. By concocting your trail mix, you can avoid these preservatives while also choosing only your favorite snacks.

Another tip is to use ingredients that are multi-functional when you make your trail mix.

For example, if you are hiking early in the morning but don’t have time to drink coffee, it might be advantageous to include chocolate covered espresso beans in your mix. This would give you a caffeine boost as well as a boost from theobromine, one of the stimulating compounds in chocolate. This food would facilitate a better workout and a happier mood while hiking the trail, which will only enhance your experience.

It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to complete the full hike. Many visitors only hike half-way before turning around.

Simply being able to exercise in Tiger Mountain State Forest should be considered a blessing.

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Our Final Thoughts on Poo Poo Point

Besides being a fantastic site for launching paragliding and hang gliding careers, Poo Poo Point might have the silliest name of any officially designated knoll.

Jokes aside, we think anyone visiting this idyllic location will not be disappointed.

If you feel like getting in an intense workout, then traversing the trail only once should challenge even the most in-shape athletes.

This is due to the constant ascent and total elevation gain.

Even though some people choose to have a picnic at the top of trail, we don’t necessarily recommend this. It’s still another 3.5 miles to descend, and some people have sensitive stomachs. Even gentle hiking after a big meal could result in indigestion and feelings of sickness.

Regardless, as long as you plan ahead and go at your own pace, your experience of Poo Poo Point should be deeply memorable.

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