Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Anti-Aircraft Peak
Featured In:
Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Region,
by Dan A. Nelson and Alan L. Bauer.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. The route starts by rounding the gate and heading up the road toward the Newcastle Brick Works clay pit. At about 0.75 mile you'll leave the road by veering left onto the Klondike Swamp Trail. This swampy basin was once a shallow impoundment behind a long dam across these headwaters of Coal Creek. The lake behind the dam filled with sediment (largely the result of runoff from area logging), creating the current boggy swamp. Birds of all varieties thrive in this accidental ecosystem--even wood ducks! A mile into your hike through this rich environment, go left onto Lost Beagle Trail. (Was that lost beagle lured away by the abundant wildlife? Perhaps, so keep your own dog on-leash please). The trail climbs slightly through the wild woods to a reminder of this area's military might--a high fence around Radar Park. Continue along the trail as it skirts the park perimeter and, shortly after crossing the access road leading into the park compound, stop and enjoy the best views of the day at a small knob locals have dubbed Million Dollar View. The panoramic splendor includes Mount Baker in the North Cascades (on especially clear days) to the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains beyond. After soaking in the scenery at the top, descend along the Shangri La Trail a short 0.1 mile before going right and then right again at the very next junction. This puts you on Anti-Aircraft Ridge Trail. Shortly, you'll encounter yet another fork in the trail. (Warning: There are myriad trails here, and if signposts get knocked down it's easy to take a wrong turn--a great reason to carry a map.) To the right is Lost Beagle Trail, leading straight back to your starting point. Go left instead to descend along Anti-Aircraft Ridge. You'll soon find yourself at Cougar Pass (elev. 1250 ft)--about 1.25 miles from Million Dollar View. This pass separates the drainages of Coal Creek and West Tibbetts Creek. Go right to cut your hike short (this leads straight down to the Klondike Swamp Trail), or stay left for the longer loop. This path skirts another swamp before merging into Tibbetts Marsh Trail. Stay right and climb a long 0.25 mile to the blue-sky views above the open cuts of the clay pits (elev. 1375 ft). Hop on SE Cougar Mountain Drive here and follow it west and then south to 166th Way and your waiting vehicle.
Driving Directions:
From I-90 take exit 13 onto Lakemont Boulevard. Drive south on Lakemont Boulevard, which becomes Newcastle-Coal Creek Road. After crossing "The Pass," turn left (east) onto Cougar Mountain Way. Continue about 0.5 mile before turning right (south) onto 166th Way. Drive about 0.75 mile to a gate and park, being sure not to block the gate. Recent Trip Reports
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Anti-Aircraft Peak
— Oct 08, 2011
— TripleHHikers
Day hike
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Looking for something close that won't be too difficult? Then this is a good hike for a cloudy day...
Looking for something close that won't be too difficult? Then this is a good hike for a cloudy day if you just want to get out and stretch your legs. For a full review check out our blog!
http://triplehhikers.blogspot.com/[…]/anti-aircraft.html Day hike
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The hike was good, but would have been better with more thorough directions. There are a lot trail systems on...
The hike was good, but would have been better with more thorough directions. There are a lot trail systems on Cougar Mountain, so it can be a bit confusing. First, when you pull into the parking area - you need to back track to the yellow gated gravel military road. Everything is good until it describes walking along the fence line to Radar Park. It sounds as if you will do this for awhile, when it is only 10-15 feet or so. You will come to an opening where you can enter park. Once in the park it is hard to find the "Million Dollar View." Fear not, walk towards the parking area to the right and you will see a sign that says "Anti-Aircraft Trailhead," keep walking for .125 mile, and you will literally see a sign that says "Million Dollar View." It is a great view, but I would bet that if you went in Winter time you would get an even better view... and this goes for the "Clay Pits" as well. There are a lot of maple trees that block a panoramic view. It was worth the time, but I will be back when the leaves fall for an even better view. The trail itself was well maintained and scenic, however I would not rate it as 3 for difficulty. I would rate it a 2 or so for difficulty, as most of it is not steep... there only two spots where it climbs. The rest of the trail is a gentle up and down.
Anti-Aircraft Peak, Clay Pit Road, Klondike Swamp, Lost Beagle, Anti-Aircraft Ridge, Cougar Pass
— Mar 06, 2010
— mhodson87
Day hike
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Took the directions from this page and did the hike. I was expecting it to be tougher than it actually...
Took the directions from this page and did the hike. I was expecting it to be tougher than it actually was. The most difficult part was the ascent of Lost Beagle Trail, I took one break and a sip of water (and I'm relatively out of shape). If nothing else its a great nature hike, good for inexperienced hikers. Most of the other people on the trail were joggers.
I think the "million dollar view" is an ironic name. I did not find any such view, even when I crossed into Radar Park (there is an entrance at the top of lost beagle trail) and walked to a bench. Maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough. In all it took me about 1.5 hours to cover the whole thing. Fun hike and great forest scenery. |
Anti- Aircraft Peak- Cougar Mt. Photo by Jan
2010, 2011
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