issy alps quiz results
Ready to discover your Issy Alp personality match?
Holly resting at the Bullitt fireplace on Squak Mountain during a hot summer day hike
But first! Details on the background of each mountain. Don’t go sighing that heavily! I find it important you know what you’re getting yourself into. Errrr, I mean, the depth of each mountain that you possibly relate to on a personal level. To me, each mountain offers a distinct personality.
This idea may seem wild and off-base but I promise it’s true. Hopefully, someday you will get the chance to check it out for yourself. In the meantime, you’ll just have to trust my experiences to feel the underlying essence of each place.
An overview of how each mountain relates to each other
Cougar Mountain
A view of the Issy Alps from the Space Needle in Seattle
Oddly, I don’t have any pictures of Cougar Mountain. Maybe not that odd actually since I explored the area before Instagram and taking pictures constantly resided in our behavioral patterns. Anyway, Holly and I travelled along all of the trails frequently or I strapped on trail shoes for easy runs. We frequently crossed paths with wildlife (coyotes, bunnies, etc.).
Cougar is most known for its easy, accessible terrain and boasts a multitude of access points along it’s entire perimeter; whether from neighborhoods, parks, or large parking lots at trailheads, you can find a quick entrance to any route distance your heart desires. The history of Cougar includes mining, of course, beginning in the 1860s. Remains of mines can be found in a few areas. Cougar’s most notable history involves a Nike missile site, which operated from 1957 to March 1964.
Now, the site (and the mountain) is Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park owned and operated by King County. The only features leftover from the launch pad and housing are concrete slabs and a few metal pieces but the site is used for horse trailer parking, trail running race starts/finishes, group meetups, and more. Overall, Cougar Mountain’s wide range of trails, views, and activities (>3,000 acres!) deem it a perfect spot to explore, especially with friends!
Squak Mountain
Squak can appear eerie
Squak Mountain also contains mining history. Both an organized mining operation and many entrepreneurial spirits attempting to discover a new section of the Renton Formation coal seam. This makes lush, overgrown Squak less navigable and explorers need to remain aware of their surroundings. Another intriguing feature on Squak is the fireplace still standing out of the ruins of the Bullitt family cabin. The family deeded the land to the state of Washington for use as a public park in the 1970s.
More history can be found on the Squak Mountain State Park website. The terrain of Squak is steep, which probably keeps visitors to a lower percentage compared to the other Issy Alps. There also seems to be a lack of sunlight penetrating through the thick foliage on the mountain and winter months can seem especially miserable, damp, and foggy. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed trekking with Holly here most often? Or is it the terrific view of Mount Tahoma that could be enjoyed in peace?
One final note on Squak: Although it also can be accessed from downtown Issaquah or neighborhoods, there isn’t much parking so one must hike to the trailheads. Holly especially enjoyed the Squak access trail along the creek though so adding the extra two miles always felt like a worthwhile venture. One day in March Holly got lost on Squak and spent the night. While I worried, she probably gallivanted with cougars or foxes. She appeared at the trailhead the next day ready for me to pick her up as if nothing was amiss. Forever after while on Squak I uttered my gratitude for her safekeeping of my wild Holly.
Tiger Mountain
Everyone knows you train for some serious uphill on Tiger trails
Tiger Mountain is a working mountain. By this I mean the state manages an active logging site alongside the recreation, the walking history trails that denote the massive Douglas firs, not far from the paragliding launch site or the old mining camps that became overgrown forests. Tiger boasts a rugged history and quite possibly a rugged modern day adventure.
My friends created a Tiger Tenpeat “race” where you can attempt to repeat the same 3-mile trail as many times as you would like or cheer on others who opt to. I’ve trekked from one side of the mountain to the other on the famous 16-mile Tiger Mountain Trail with Bennie. I’ve run through all three summits for funsies. Tiger offers interpretive trails, quiet trails with cougar lairs, short trails around ponds, long trails with rolling terrain where you can get lost. If you’re looking for adventure, here’s your chance!
The Results
Coal Creek Falls
📸 by Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Mostly a’s: COUGAR MOUNTAIN
Look at you, you social butterfly! Flitting here and there, spreading your love like it’s perpetually summer. Full of sunshine, you offer friendship equitably like an easy Sunday afternoon stroll. From your casual and trendy style to the perfectly balanced drinks you sip, you exude confidence. Like Cougar Mountain, which offers a vast array of recreational opportunities, you shine in any situation or activity.
Squak Access trail along Issaquah Creek
Mostly b’s: SQUAK MOUNTAIN
Brooding, moody, dark. Hardcore parkour. Your steep terrain keeps everyone at arm’s length; yet, inside you are deep and soulful. Dramatic, yes; and also cerebral, ethereal, and generous. Drawn to quiet, peaceful locations where you can leave technology behind, you desire to explore the mysterious and aren’t scared to go it alone. You may be a bit on the dangerous side but that’s the intrigue that keeps your friends returning.
Poo Poo Point on Tiger Mountain offers views of paragliders
Mostly c’s: TIGER MOUNTAIN
You live for the thrills. Adventure is your middle name. Action packed opportunities lure you for more, more, more! Tiger Mountain matches your wit and brawn by offering everything from hiking and trail running to paragliding and mountain biking. You want longer trails? Check. You want the ability to get lost? Check. You want access from town? Check. There are three summits for you to circumnavigate all within a day trip. Just make sure to watch out for the bears and cougar lairs!
Mount Tahoma can be seen from both Squak and Tiger Mountains
I hope you enjoyed that one and can relate to the fun, small town vibes. Next time you get the chance to explore the Issaquah area, let me know! I’ll share any insight you want. Hopefully, you’ll also share which mountain the quiz matched you to. I have my suspicions but can’t wait to learn how it panned out for you. ;-)