Tiger Mountain Trail South

Hike the southernmost part of the Main Tiger Mountain Trail - the TMT - for a gentle introduction to the southern slopes of the Tigers. The trail is usable all year unless there has been significant lowland snow. In spring, enjoy blooms of trilliums and other wild flowers. In the fall, appreciate the colors of leaves that carpet parts of the trail.

The TMT initially follows the grade of the former Woods and Iverson railroad, built in the 1920s to haul timber from the Tigers to a mill in Hobart. It's a quieter walk today, although you may hear occasional traffic sounds from nearby Highway 18.

If you are hiking in early spring, be alert for some of the first trilliums to bloom in the Tigers. As the season progresses, other wildflowers will follow. Most of your hike is in mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, and in the autumn sections of the trail will be carpeted with the browns and golds of fallen maple leaves.

The first mile of your hike gains 500 feet along second-growth forested hillsides. The final 0.9 miles has little elevation change.

Your hike follows trails shared seasonally with trail riders (equestrians) and, at 1.1 miles, a sign directs riders to turn onto the "Horse Bypass" while your foot trail continues straight ahead. In another 0.2 mile, your trail narrows and traverses the steep hillside of Carkin's Cliff - the reason horses take a different route. (Names such as "Carkin's" honor volunteers who helped construct the TMT in the 1960s.) Beyond the traverse, arrive at the sign identifying Hobart Gap, where the foot and horse trails rejoin.

From Hobart Gap, continue a short way east on the TMT as it follows the route of another 1920s logging railroad. In 0.3 mile or so, come to the crossing of a small creek. It's a tributary of Holder Creek, and early in the season the creek will be flowing with a bit of white water visible upstream of the trail. This is a pleasant spot to stop and, for an easy hike, it makes a good turn-around point. Or, if your enthusiasm and energy permit, some hike extensions are possible.


Extending Your Hike

Feeling more ambitious? If an extra 2.5 miles or so, and 300 feet of additional elevation gain, does not sound daunting, consider a loop hike all the way around South Tiger Mountain, returning to Hobart Gap via the South Tiger Traverse. For details, see South Tiger Mountain Loop in our Hiking Guide.

Also, the TMT itself rambles on much farther, eventually reaching the High Point Trailhead on I-90 some 15 miles from your trailhead today. There are many potential turn-around points along the way, so a hike on the TMT can be as long as you like. For details, see Tiger Mountain Trail in our Hiking Guide.