Tiger Mountain sits just 30 minutes east of Seattle in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The mountain has two popular hang gliding launch points where enthusiasts of the sport can soar over a tree-studded valley in view of the Cascades, the glaciers of Mount Rainier, glittering Lake Sammamish and the Seattle skyline. On good gliding days, clusters of colorful parachutes can be seen drifting from the mountain's summit.
The Mountain
- Tiger Mountain, part of the group of foothills called the Issaquah Alps, sits just off I-90 east of Seattle. The mountain is popular with hikers, horseback riders and joggers, who take to the many trails crisscrossing the Tiger Mountain State Forest. The mountain has two well-maintained launch sites for paragliders, a south launch with an elevation of 1,680 feet and a north launch with an elevation of 1,830 feet. Both areas are clear of trees and have bathrooms. The north launch, also called Poo Poo Point, has a wide strip of turf to ease the take-off process. A landing zone sits at the base of the mountain on Issaquah-Hobart road.
Weather and Safety
- Safely paragliding -- from any location -- requires a significant investment of equipment and knowledge. Equipment should be well maintained and thoroughly checked before each glide to further ensure safety. Paragliding anywhere in the United States without an instructor, including at Tiger Mountain, requires a Para 2 (solo) certification.The best time to fly at Tiger Mountain is in the afternoon. The mountain is flyable year round, assuming you find a clear day, but April to August are the best months for ideal conditions. In summer, thermaling is best from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and glass-off from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Gliding can range from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on your experience and the conditions.
Lessons and Guides
- Several companies near Tiger Mountain offer paragliding lessons and tandem flying -- flying while harnessed with a professional guide who acts as the pilot. For either lessons or tandem flying, you need not have any prior experience or be in great physical shape. Paragliding is not physically demanding; it requires only that you be able to run 20 to 30 feet. Companies include Seattle Paragliding, Paraglide Washington and Parafly Paragliding. Most lessons and tandem flights include equipment, shuttle service and a session on safety and technique.
Where to Watch
- If you're interested in watching the paragliders, there is a broad berm at Poo Poo Point that's a perfect vantage point. You can choose from two hiking trails to access the area: the Chirico Trail and the Poo Poo Point Trail. The Chirico Trail is shorter, just 4.7 miles round trip, while the Poo Poo Point Trail is a more demanding 7.4-mile round trip trek. Both trails are easy to access from I-90 and pass through forest on their way to the point. There, hikers are treated to expansive views of Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Mountains. It's important that hikers stay out of the way of paragliders landing or taking off, and that they not walk on the turf strip.
