Issaquah Alps

The term was invented in 1977 by noted nature author Harvey Manning within the pages of his trail guidebook Footsore 1, elevating their status from foothills to "Alps" to advocate preservation.

The IATC, which is headquartered in Issaquah (nicknamed "Trailhead City"[1]), conducts frequent guided hikes throughout the Alps.

The Issaquah Alps follow Interstate 90 from the shore of Lake Washington almost to the western face of the Cascade Range.

The hills are composed of andesitic volcanic rock lying on top of older tightly folded rocks from the coastal plain of the North Cascade subcontinent that docked with Washington about 50 million years ago as the entire continent of North America moved west across the ocean.

Cedar Butte rises abruptly from the moraine between Rattlesnake Ledge and the absolute front of the Cascades.