On Friday morning, Dec. 1, a small group, including State Senator Mark Mullet and Mountains to Sound Greenway officials, gathered to celebrate the recent improvements to the pothole-riddled High Point trailhead and access road.

High Point is one of the busiest trailheads in the state, with opportunities for hikers and bikers of all experience levels. And now, freshly paved and and striped, with 87 parking stalls, ADA accessibility and a turnaround for buses, this popular trailhead is more accessible than ever.

Popular routes include West Tiger #3, Bus Trail, and Tradition Lake Trail, with access to both the Tiger Mountain and Tradition Plateau Natural Resources Conservation Areas, managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the city of Issaquah, respectively.

The renovated trailhead allows users to park more efficiently and maximize capacity without having to expand its footprint.

The renovation has been on a top priority for Issaquah-area recreation. Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) championed this project, ultimately securing state funding through a U.S. Department of Commerce grant, with construction overseen by the city, DNR, and Lakeside Construction in early November.

The new bus turnaround will help connect more students with Tiger Mountain’s forest and trails. Several thousand students travel there each year with the Greenway’s education program, exploring the trails and learning about local ecosystems.

High Point is currently accessible by the Metro Route 208, with a bus stop a short walk away.

The new trailhead is open now. Find out more at https://mtsgreenway.org/?cm-map-location=highpoint-trail.

A small crowd joins the celebration of improvements to the High Point Trailhead, including new pavement in the parking lot and improved access for buses. (Courtesy Photo)

State Senator Mark Mullet spoke Friday morning at the ribbon cutting for the new and improved High Point Trailhead. (Courtesy Photo)