GRAND RIDGE

Grand Ridge Park is 1,200 acres of pristine forest rising 1,100 feet in elevation above Issaquah and Lake Sammamish. Established to provide natural resource preservation and passive recreation along the edge of urban and rural living, the park is located between Mitchell Hill Forest to the east and the Issaquah Highlands residential development to the west. The steep slope above the North Fork of Issaquah Creek is covered by stands of large second growth Douglas fir trees.

A special feature of Grand Ridge is the groves of western red cedar trees and sword ferns in the central part of the ridge. Some of the cedars are over 5 feet in diameter. The red alder forests and wetlands in the north end of the park act as the headwaters for salmon bearing Canyon Creek, which flows into the Snoqualmie Watershed, and the North Fork of Issaquah Creek, which flows west into Lake Sammamish.

A 7-mile multi-use trail built with the help of Washington Trails Association volunteers traverses the long linear park wandering through a variety of forest settings which provide habitat for bears, cougars, owls and other wildlife. The trail will eventually end at Duthie Hill Park in the north, the future site of a mountain bike skills park and trail network.

Acreage:

1,200 Acres

Trail Length:

7 miles

Use:

Hiking, horse back riding, mountain biking. Steep climbs in the north and south with moderate rolling terrain on the ridgetops.

Access

From Seattle, drive east on I-90 for approx. 18.1 miles. Take Exit #20, turn left at bottom of ramp. Pass underneath I-90 and park in the gravel lot to the west. Hike or bike west on the Issaquah-to-High Point Trail to the backcountry trailhead. You can also access the trail from Central Park in the Issaquah Highlands. Access from the north is planned.