Coal Creek TrailRecent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes
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Our hiking partner, Robert, contacted us to suggest a hike. Our Discover Pass is on order but not here yet,...
Our hiking partner, Robert, contacted us to suggest a hike. Our Discover Pass is on order but not here yet, so we eliminated state parks and opted for Coal Creek Park, a city park. The day was forecast to be good and lived up to this – clear, calm, and not too chilly, a beautiful day.
We parked at Red Town Trailhead and crossed Lakemont Boulevard to the Coal Creek Trailhead, hiking downhill past the mineshaft and the waterfall cascading over rust colored stone. Slow Loris and Robert talked about the history of the area, including the railroad turntable, the clinker mine, and the Seattle-Walla Walla Railroad, which never made it past Coal Creek. At almost 1.7 miles, we came to an unsigned T intersection with good trail going both ways. This stymied us for a while until we decided to turn right, which turned out to be the correct choice for staying on the main trail. Up to this point the trail had many improvements and was in good condition. Soon we came to the only section of bad trail, about a mile of mud with some dicey descents. We passed the junctions where the now-closed Primrose Trail N11 leaves and rejoins Coal Creek Trail N1. The trail improved as it descended to follow the creek. At 3 miles, or 2.7 miles according to the Green Trails map, we came to the other trailhead, on Coal Creek Parkway. There was parking but no amenities there, so we turned back until we got back to one of several benches, where we stopped to rest and eat our lunch before hiking back to Red Town Trailhead. We recommend Red Town Trailhead as there is more parking and a porta-potty, or the hike can be done as a shuttle with two cars. We enjoyed the nice weather and the lovely forest, stream, and waterfalls. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail
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This is a wonderful trail just off of Lakemont Boulevard across the street from the much more used Red Town...
This is a wonderful trail just off of Lakemont Boulevard across the street from the much more used Red Town Trailhead. It basically follows Coal Creek for about 3 miles and meanders in and out of dense forest and meadows with some mild ups and downs. North Creek Falls is the largest waterfall on this part of the trail and is about .3 miles from the trailhead.
The trail is mostly easy to follow and in good shape,but there is a section of the trail that comes out on a gravel road and is not well signed. You just have to follow the gravel road straight for a little ways and you will see where it connects with the trail again. There are steepish sections but none are very long and there are benches and other areas to stop and take breaks. The Primrose Trail that is on most maps as a loop trail appears to be closed at this time. All in all, this trail was very nice considering it is technically part of a city park. You get the feeling of being far out in the woods without going that far if you live in the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett area. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mudholes
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Total Trip: 2.7 mi, +450 ft
North trailhead 47.55490/-122.16641, 200 feet, Coal Creek Parkway
South trailhead 47.53494/-122.12851, 650 feet, Red Town Trailhead
This...
Total Trip: 2.7 mi, +450 ft
North trailhead 47.55490/-122.16641, 200 feet, Coal Creek Parkway South trailhead 47.53494/-122.12851, 650 feet, Red Town Trailhead This hike was taken in two stages, the first from the south trailhead to approximate midpoint, and the second from the north trailhead to approximate midpoint. Early reconnaissance indicated that trail alignment differed considerably from that of fifteen years ago, hence the more conservative strategy. Narrative is written as one continuous trip from north to south. This trail is maintained by the City of Bellevue Parks & Recreation, although old signage conforms to earlier management by Cougar Mountain County Park. The trail follows an easy grade, with a few moderate grades. It is a fairly easy hike suitable for kidlets and puplets if the entire length (2.7 miles) is not traversed. In the first mile, the trail crosses three impressive bridges, although not architectural rivals of the Prince Edward Island Bridge, much more impressive than one usually sees on a hiking trail. At the one mile point, there is a junction with the now-closed Primrose Trail. From here, the main trail begins an ascent out of the creek valley to some meadows where there is a run-down shack overlooking one of the meadows. After about two miles, the trail coincides with a service road which comes up from the creek from the left (north) and leaves the trail to the right (south). The coincidence is about one-quarter mile. Shortly after leaving the road, the trail descends an interesting stairway similar to the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse at Disneyland (it was a C-ticket then). At about two and a half miles, there is the North Fork Falls and a mine shaft nearby. The trail ends across from the Red Town Trailhead.
Coal Creek Trail
— Apr 02, 2011
— DaveH
Day hike
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail
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The wife and I only had a couple of hours on Saturday for a quick hike. So, we decided to...
The wife and I only had a couple of hours on Saturday for a quick hike. So, we decided to try the Coal Creek Trail for the first time. It was a great little early-season hike.
We started from the Red Town trailhead (W2) and hiked a short distance up to the Cave Hole trail (C3). We turned left at Cave Hole and continued up to the Coal Creek Falls trail (C4). We passed a couple of trail runners and one party of about 4 people. Everyone was friendly and courteous. The Coal Creek Falls trail is quite muddy in places with running water along much of it's length. Definitely make sure you're wearing waterproof shoes. The falls were gorgeous and seemed to be running at full capacity. One woman was there taking pictures. Unfortunately, my wife and I ran off and forgot our camera. So, no photographic documentation this time. After spending a few minutes on the bridge by the falls catching our breath, we continued on to where the Coal Creek Falls trail intersects the Quarry Trail (C6). We then turned right and continued until we got back to the Red Town Trail. Followed that back to the trailhead and called it a (short) day. One note: it only sprinkled on us lightly during the hike, but we still managed to get pretty wet. Standard NW hiking gear advised. My wife and I were wearing rainshells, so it wasn't too bad. But, it wouldn't have been much fun without them.
Coal Creek Trail
— Mar 21, 2011
— Silverpeople
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Issues:
Mudholes | Water on trail
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What a treat, after a winter of urban hikes on city sidewalks, the Wednesday Walkie Talkies were out on a...
What a treat, after a winter of urban hikes on city sidewalks, the Wednesday Walkie Talkies were out on a good dirt trail among trees and alongside a stream! This area is NOT REALLY PART OF THE ISSAQUAH ALPS. This Coal Creek Trail is in the Coal Creek Natural Area, a City of Bellevue Park with the feel of a real forest. Historically interesting--some signs to explain the coal mining that took place here years ago, and artifacts along the way. The trail had some mud and some steep areas need widening, but someone has been working here--there were sturdy fences at overlooks and bridges across most of the streams, except where we took a side trail to visit the rest rooms at the YMCA (a beautiful facility). That stream was hard to cross! A surprise--we saw a few trillium! Here's a good source for finding the trail:
http://www.everytrail.com/guide/coal-creek-natural-area/map We started our hike from the parking lot for Cougar Mountain Park, where there are porta-potties and a picnic table. Crossed the road to get to our trail; other trails start from here also. Drove I-90 to Exit 13, followed Lakemont Blvd SE several miles to parking lot on the left. |
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