Bullitt Fireplace, East Side, and Debbie's View Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Historical Significance · Views · Wildlife

This loop is but one version of an excellent run you can make on Squak Mountain. Enjoy rolling trails and moderate ascents through the incredibly lush forest on the north side of the mountain. This makes the perfect outdoor escape on hot summer days, but provides just the right dose of nature and exercise at any time of year.

A Discover Pass is required to park in Washington State Parks, Dept of Natural Resources and Dept of Fish and Wildlife

A great run, with a few steeper ascents and descents but also some rolling terrain.

Bullitt Fireplace Trail starts at a small turnout on Mountainside Drive SW. Parking is limited, so you may have to park farther down the road and walk up. This trail climbs steadily through a dense evergreen forest that's carpeted with moss and ferns. The trail is in good shape without many obstacles, but it is all uphill.

There are multiple connecting trails, all of which are marked with signs. To follow the loop described here, take turn onto East Side Trail. This is a woodsy, rolling path that goes into slightly lesser-traveled part of the mountain. This is where you'll be able to enjoy the quiet sounds of the forest and where you'll have the best chance of spotting wildlife.

When you reach the junction with Phil's Creek Trail, take this turn and head uphill once more. Phil's connects with Old Griz Trail to climb most of the rest of the way up the mountain. You'll have the option to hop on Central Peak Trail and make the final short ascent to Squak's summit, but there is no view through the trees there.

Old Griz leads into the top of Bullitt Fireplace Trail, and soon you'll see the namesake of this trail. A stone fireplace and chimney are all that remain of a summer home built by the Bullitt Family that later burned down. There are picnic tables here and it is a nice place for lunch.

Continuing down the trail will soon bring you to the junction with Chybinski Loop. If you're feeling ready to end your run, then simply stay on Bullitt Fireplace Trail. If you're up for more, then turn onto Chybinski as mapped here. A little uphill soon leads to the junction for Debbie's View, and if the weather is clear then you certainly won't want to miss this.

Debbies View Trail leads to the only overlook on Squak Mountain, thanks to a rock outcrop and a clearing in the trees. On a sunny day you'll get a perfectly framed view of Mount Rainier from here.

Retrace your steps from Debbie's View and continue on Chybinski Loop, which beyond this point turns downhill. It goes through incredibly lush forest thick with ferns. Eventually this trail ends at West Access Trail, where you can turn either left or right.

Either way will link you back to Bullitt Fireplace Trail, but going left is the better way to end this loop. You'll soon meet Coal Mine Trail and turn here to rejoin Bullitt Fireplace on a familiar stretch. From here it is just a short distance farther down the mountain to reach your car.