AT RISK:
Tiger
Mountain State Forest
Tiger Mountain, a recreational paradise in King County, is home to one of the largest and most productive unprotected lowland legacy forests in Western Washington. These forests are worth far more standing.
TIGER MOUNTAIN
TIMBER SALES
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South Paw
Auction Date: Jan 2026
This timber sale would clear cut 96 acres of structurally complex mixed hardwood and conifer forests near the south trailhead of the Tiger Mountain Trail near Mirrormount.
Forrest Stump
Auction Date: March 2026
This legacy forest is scheduled to be auctioned in the fall of 2025, despite the current pause on mature forest timber sales. If this area is auctioned, it would destroy 78 acres in the middle of one of the largest sections of intact forests on Tiger Mountain. DNR argues that this area is not structurally complex, however the forest is bursting with complexity and home to old forest dependent species.
Red Osier
Red Osier
Auction Date: April 2026
This timber sale would destroy 63 acres on the east side of Tiger Mountain. This timber sale is bisected by the popular "Easy Tiger" and "The Legend" mountain bike trails.
London Burl
London Burl
Planned for 2028
The London Burl timber sale targets part of one of the largest sections of intact forests on Tiger Mountain just north of the Forrest Stump sale.
Chinwag
Chinwag
Planned for 2031
The Chinwag timber sale targets a spectacular forest along the Raging River including massive Sitka Spruce trees. This timber sale was originally scheduled for 2026 but has been pushed back to 2030.
El Tigre
El Tigre
Permanently Protected
This forest was scheduled to be logged in 2024, but was included in DNR's Natural Climate Solutions program thanks to the work of the Center for Responsible Forestry.
PARTER ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS CAMPAIGN
CONNECT WITH US!
Want to be more involved? Email joshua@wlfdc.org to join the Tiger Mountain work group.
About this campaign:
Located on the ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie Tribe in King County, Tiger Mountain State Forest is a crown jewel of King County—home to one of the largest unprotected legacy forests in the Southern Cascade lowland ecoregion. These productive, temperate forests store more carbon per acre than any other ecosystem in North America, provide vital habitat for wildlife, and hold deep cultural significance for the Snoqualmie Tribe. Every year, more than a million people visit Tiger Mountain to hike, horseback ride, mountain bike, and hang glide—making it one of the most popular recreational areas in the state.
There are currently nine timber sales targeting legacy forest that DNR plans to clearcut in Tiger Mountain State Forest over the next 6 years. Collectively these sales would convert 914 acres of mature, biologically diverse, native forest to tree farms.
The South Paw sale was originally scheduled to be auctioned in summer 2023 but was paused after opposition from the Snoqualmie tribe. It is now on hold as part of the pause on mature forest timber sales.
This forest was scheduled to be logged in 2024, but was included in DNR's Natural Climate Solutions program thanks to the work of the Center for Responsible Forestry.
This forest was originally scheduled to be auctioned in spring 2025. It is now on hold as part of the pause on mature forest timber sales.
The South Paw sale was originally scheduled to be auctioned in summer 2023 but was paused after opposition from the Snoqualmie tribe. It is now on hold as part of the pause on mature forest timber sales.
Nearly 60% of Tiger Mountain’s lands were deeded by King County to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and are managed by DNR on behalf of the county. Tiger Mountain State Forest is also located on usual and accustomed lands of the Snoqualmie Tribe. Yet DNR does not consult King County officials or tribal governments when planning timber sales in Tiger Mountain State Forest. It is time that changed.
We’re advocating for a collaborative management model that integrates ecological forestry, cultural values, carbon sequestration, sustainable recreation, and modest revenue generation. This vision aims to move beyond temporary conservation wins toward permanent protections—positioning Tiger Mountain as a statewide model for 21st-century forest stewardship.
Since our founding, we’ve been committed to protecting Tiger Mountain’s irreplaceable legacy forests. Working alongside key partners such as King County and the Snoqualmie Tribe, we’ve:
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Helped delay the proposed “South Paw” sale, which was originally slated for auction in the summer of 2023, and would have been clearcut by now if LFDC had not taken action. DNR is now planning to proceed with the sale in early 2026.
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Worked in coalition with our partners to permanently protect legacy forests bordering the popular East Tiger Summit Trailhead were slated to be clearcut.
Today, we continue to work with community members and stakeholders to reimagine the future of Tiger Mountain. Our goal: to develop a new management plan for Tiger Mountain State Forest that serves the best interests of the people of Washington State, by conserving biodiversity, protecting wildlife habitat and cultural resources, enhancing recreational opportunities, conserving and restoring old growth forests, enhancing water quality, attenuating peak flows in salmon-bearing rivers and streams, and mitigating climate change.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. If you live in King County or recreate on Tiger Mountain:
Please reach out to the King County Council with a personalized email urging them to protect the Legacy Forests of Tiger Mountain.
2. If you are part of an NGO or community group in the King County area:
Please work with your group or organization to draft a letter of support to the King County Council and Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove urging them to support our new vision for Tiger Mountain State Forest. Additionally, please feel free to reach out to us if you would like someone from our organization to lecture at one of your events.
3. Please send a friendly email to the Commissioner of Public Lands asking him to cancel the planned “Forrest Stump" timber sale, and postpone any new timber sales on Tiger Mountain until a new forest land plan is finalized .
Dave Upthegrove
Commissioner of Public Lands
Contact Commissioner Upthegrove at cpl@dnr.wa.gov
4. If you want to document the biodiversity of Tiger Mountain:
Please contribute to our iNaturalist project by photo documenting species while hiking on Tiger Mountain. Documenting the biodiversity of this area will help us conserve it! Consider organizing a hike with friends to document Tiger Mountain's diverse array of plant species.
Tiger Mountain Overview Map
