Overview
Though it took me six months to delibarate rather to post this little peak or not, I have been checking SummitPost around and I have finally decided that it was the proper time to give this peak a write up. Though small, Cedar Mountain, also known as Echo Mountain is quite an interesting cinder cone remanant located just east of Renton, Washington. It is the noticable bump when viewed from either from either the downtown Seattle skyscraper or some of the neighboring Issaquah Alps. It features two peaks, the west peak being the true summit and a decent network of trails that travel around the two peaks.
This summit is made for those rehabing, or people trying to get themselves conditioned for larger mountains. It is a good peak to take a newbie on, especially if there is a timeline. The woods here make for a pleasant walk even on warmer days. The added bonus here is that there are not too many people who know about Cedar (Echo) Mountain so chance are you will not be sharing the mountain with many people. In bad weather this peak can make for a good bailout or if you are in a rush this is good way to spend an hour in the woods.
As for the summit, on a clear day this mountain provides good views of Mount Rainier to the south. To get to the summit from Spring Lake Drive take the gated dirt road up almost a mile. There will be a trail on your right clearly marked Peak Trail. Take the Peak Trail up (do not devert of on the side trail) and keep up the trail. The summit is off to your left. The total roundtrip is 3 miles roundtrip with under 600 feet of elevation gain so expect to spend maybe an hour or so here.
Though the summit is easy, you can always make it look maybe slightly more interesting!!
Getting There
From Maple Valley Highway south of 405: Take Maple Valley Highway down to 196th Avenue Southeast and turn right if you are heading the the north or left if from the south. Go one mile to Southeast 183rd. Tkae one right and then another quick right onto Spring Lake Drive. Take Spring Lake Drive about one mile to the gate where there will be some parking slots to your right.Avoid parking at the boat launch area. A Vehicle Access Permit is required there.Red Tape
None on the small parking area. Just don't park at the boat launch.Camping
Camping is prohibited!!External Links
Here is a good article on this summit
Images
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