Squak Mountain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Squak Mountain
Squak Mountain (Southeast and Central Peaks) as seen from Poo Poo Point (east)
Highest point
Elevation	2,028 ft (618 m)
Prominence	1,689 ft (515 m)
Geography
Location	King County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	Issaquah Alps

Squak Mountain is a beautiful place located in Washington state. It's one of the mountains that make up the Issaquah Alps, a chain of hills and mountains. Squak Mountain sits between Cougar Mountain to its west and Tiger Mountain to its east. A major highway, Interstate 90, runs along the northern base of the mountain.

Much of the water that flows from Squak Mountain eventually reaches Lake Sammamish. Most of this mountain is protected. It's part of Squak Mountain State Park and special wildlife areas managed by King County.

Exploring Squak Mountain

Squak Mountain isn't just one single peak. It actually has three main high points. These peaks are like different parts of the same big mountain.

The Three Peaks

• The Central Peak is the tallest. It reaches about 2,024 feet high.
• The West Peak is slightly lower. It stands at about 1,995 feet.
• The Southeast Peak is the lowest of the three. It is around 1,673 feet tall.

What's in a Name?

The name "Squak" has a special history. It comes from the Southern Lushootseed language. This is the language of the Native American people who lived in this area for a very long time. The original word was /sqʷásxʷ/. This same word also gave names to Issaquah Creek and the nearby city of Issaquah.

Protecting Squak Mountain

A large part of Squak Mountain is protected land. This helps keep the mountain and its wildlife safe.

Squak Mountain State Park

Most of the mountain is part of Squak Mountain State Park. This park offers many trails for hiking and exploring. It's a great place to enjoy nature.

Wildlife Corridors

There are also special areas called "corridors." These are like natural pathways. They connect Squak Mountain to Cougar Mountain and Tiger Mountain. These corridors help animals move safely between the different mountains. This is important for their survival and for keeping the natural environment healthy.

Nature and Wildlife

Squak Mountain is home to many different plants and animals. The protected areas help these species thrive.

Plants of Squak Mountain

You can find many native plants growing on the mountain. One example is the Trientalis latifolia, also known as the broadleaf starflower. This is a small, pretty plant that grows from year to year.

Animals of Squak Mountain

The mountain is also home to various animals. The Bufo boreas, or western toad, is an amphibian that lives here. Amphibians are animals that can live both on land and in water.

Images for kids

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  Remains of the Bullitt Family home located on Squak Mountain.

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  Trientalis latifolia (broadleaf starflower) is a native perennial herb found on Squak Mountain.

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  Bufo boreas (western toad) is a native amphibian found on Squak Mountain.