Join the IATC and the City of Issaquah on a guided hike through Cougar Mountain to see firsthand how climate change directly impacts the Issaquah Alps and what our community leaders have done to preserve this vital region.

We will discuss Issaquah’s history of preserving and restoring forested lands and walk through some of the recent (2018) Bergsma acquisition. Hikers will then learn about how the recent Bergsma acquisition not only preserved 46 acres of mature second growth forest, but also generated carbon credits to support stewardship initiatives (like Green Issaquah) within the City. We will discuss how we can all be responsible stewards and hikers of these forested open spaces and why it is important to acknowledge the value of the ecosystem services trees provide (like carbon sequestration) in a rapidly changing climate.

This is the inaugural hike in IATC’s Climate Change Initiative. Future dates and locations TBD.

Registration is required.

Trailhead: Harvey Manning Park at Talus, Cougar Mountain
Trails: Skid Road, Harvey Manning, Big Tree Ridge Trail and Military Ridge Trails (see map insert)
Distance: 2.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation Gain: ~300 feet
Hike Leaders: Dan Hintz, Urban Forestry Supervisor, & Alex Anderson, Park Ranger, City of Issaquah

Feel free to contact events@issaquahalps.org with any questions about this event.