This cache involves an outdoor hike on trails, including switchbacks.
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| Abandoned shed. |
Squak Mountain State Park is a 1,545-acre, day-use park just outside of Issaquah. This forested park, a wilderness with glimpses of Issaquah below, has miles of winding trails alongside bubbling creeks and narrow ravines. There are several trail loop options on this 2,024- foot-high mountain. With multi-use trails and a natural area, equestrians and hikers alike have plenty to explore.
This cache is located on the East Peak, on a mixed use hiking and equestrian trail accessed from the May Valley Road trailhead. There are some traditional caches on this side of the park. The West Peak has several caches including one at the Bullitt fireplace, some challenging multis, and a few puzzles.
Squak Mountain State Park was created in 1972 when the Bullitt family donated 590 acres near the top of the mountain to the state. The donation included a stipulation that the land must remain in its natural state. Several other parcels of land were acquired over the years. Traces of early land users are readily found throughout the park, from remnants of old coal mining rail trails to overgrown logging roads. Massive old-growth stumps dot the forest alongside the trails. And the Bullitt fireplace, a popular park destination, is all that remains at the site of the Bullitt's summer home.
The name Squak comes from an early Anglicization of the Native American word "Asquowk," and was also given to the nearby valley, creek and town.
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| Pretty in winter, too! |
Park hours:
- Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk
- Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk
Here is a park map.
Thank you to jim_carson for help with the page layout, and the photos.
Congratulations to CP Grower for the FTF!
In order to find this cache you will have to hike uphill, including switchbacks and some route choice. There are man-eating nettles and you may encounter horses, directly or indirectly.
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- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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