Taylor Mountain - Holder Creek

Taylor Mountain is a newer addition to the King County Parks system, standing out for its intersecting network of narrow trails and wide roads, and for its history of different land use practices. Between the 1880s and 1970s, the forest was repeatedly logged, and even hosted 15 miles of railroad and a handful of sawmills. Currently, it is a Forest Stewardship Council certified working forest, emphasizing sustainable management practices as well as recreation for hikers, mountain bike riders, and horseback riders.  

The Holder Creek Trail starts at the parking lot. After the first of many creek crossing, the trail promptly arrives at a junction with the Holder Ridge Trail. For Holder Creek, stay left along a short section that parallels Highway 18. The noise of traffic fades as the creek-side brush thickens and the sound of running water takes over. Continue on as the creek flows closer, then farther from the trail. After about a mile, hikers leave the valley and begin a gradual ascent to trail’s end at the intersection with Road K. From here, there are several good loop options that take advantage of the vast network of trails at Taylor Mountain.