Today was a great day to hike--by February standards. A balmy temperature of 47 degrees, light misty rain, and no snow...what more could one ask for? Signs of spring continue to slowly appear: triliums and salmonberrys are blooming, and skunk cabbages are popping up in the wetlands. In particular, the wetlands along the Shy Bear Trail feature a nice growth of skunk cabbages.

I started my Cougar Mountain hike at the new Sky Country trailhead, and from there rambled a wide selection of trails. For the most part, the trails I hiked were in good shape. King County does a good job staying on top of trail maintenance these days. The main problem I saw were numerous flattened and useless drain dips. Here's the rundown on specific trail conditions:

Old Man's Trail: Good condition.

Bypass Trail: Good, but east end is a bit eroded, needs drainage work.

Freds RR Trail: Good condition.

Shy Bear Trail east of Deceiver Trail: o.k., a bit rooty and muddy.

Deceiver Trail: Good, a few mud holes especially east of Long View Pk.

Klondike Swamp Trail: Good, recently worked.

Coyote Creek Trail: Good, some mud holes.

The Three Waterfalls Loop on Cougar Mountain is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. The loop hike covers about 6 miles and passes three waterfalls and two viewpoints, along with giving you a healthy dose of just plain old Cougar Mountain forest goodness.

To do the loop, park at the Red Town Trailhead (elev. 650') and start hiking on the Red Town Trail, which is actually a gated dirt road. In a quarter mile, turn left(east) onto the Cave Hole Trail. After a brisk half mile climb up the hill, go right onto the Coal Creek Falls trail, which leads you to the first of the three waterfalls.

Coal Creek Falls is the largest of the Cougar Mountain waterfalls, with a drop of about 20 feet. This falls is a pretty spot, although popularity has caused the surroundings to look a bit trampled. The heavy spring rains had really got the waterfall going in mid-May. However, I was amazed to see how much the flow has diminished in the past few weeks. Better go soon before Coal Creek Falls is reduced to its usual summertime trickle.

To continue the hike, follow the trail as it climbs uphill out of the Coal Creek Valley to a junction with the Quarry Trail (some smashed-down drain dips need repair here). Go left (east) on the Quarry Trail, a gradually climbing path in shady forest. WTA members will appreciate the heavy drainage work which was turned an eroded old road into a smooth walking experience (some drain dips have been washed out at the upper end of the trail--I did some quick repairs but more needs to be done).

Go right (south) onto Fred's Railroad Trail, then onto the Shy Bear Trail, and later the Long View Trail. Few people wander about on this quiet upland part of Cougar Mountain; the main users seem to be trail runners. A final little climb brings you to the high point of the hike (1400') at somewhat misnamed Long View Peak. Heavy forest blocks most of the view from here these days. There's a bit of a vista to the south.

From Long View Peak, follow the Deceiver Trail as it descends from the peak to a crossing of Cabbage Creek near a lovely pool. This spot is especially nice in fall when golden maple leaves carpet the forest and float in the calm waters of the creek. Just beyond the crossing, a side trail leads to the second waterfall, Doughty Falls, where Cabbage Creek drops over a ten-foot high mossy ledge. The quiet, peaceful setting of the falls invites one to stay for a bit and relax.

The Deceiver trail climbs over another summit before descending to a junction with the Shy Bear Trail. Go left (west) and follow Shy Bear as it rolls along the crest of a forested ridge to Far Country Viewpoint, reached by an overgrown side trail (some lopping needed here, trail crews). At the vista point there's a log bench and a pretty decent view by Cougar Mountain standards. Beyond the viewpoint, the Shy Bear Trail drops down the hillside to a junction with the Indian Trail, an old road. Go right (north) here and follow the Indian Trail a short distance to waterfall number 3, Far Country Falls. Hidden in the brushy valley below the trail, you'll hear the falls before you see it. An short, unmarked side trail leads to the top of the falls. Far Country Falls is more of a cascade then a vertical plunge; multiple streams of water tumble ten or twenty feet down a broken andesite outcrop.

Return to Red Town Trailhead via the Indian Trail, which becomes the Red Town Trail at the newly restored Ball Field Meadow. Of course a glance at your Green Trails Map (you brought one didn't you?) will show you a multitude of other hiking options if you've go the energy. King County has been pretty diligent in maintaining trails in this park, so they are in great shape for the most part.

I've done quite a bit of rambling on Cougar Mountain in the past few days. In general the trails are in great shape, and the fall colors are reaching their peak. The colors are pretty muted compared to those in the alpine zone, but the lowland maples are trying hard to put on a good show. One pretty area is along the Coal Creek Trail, where there is an abundance of large maples. The little used portion of the trail downstream of Coal Creek Parkway is completely covered with yellow and gold leaves in spots. Coal Creek Falls is also a colorful spot, and a nice place to visit now that the recent rains have revitalized its flow.

There are only a few trail maintainence problems that I found. There is one annoying downed tree on the Coal Creek Trail, about a mile from the lower end of the trail at 119th. This section of the trail also suffers from patches of slumped tread that could use some TLC. On the east side of Cougar Mountain, the Shangri-La Trail and the Surprise Creek Trail have many clogged drain dips that need clearing. Both of these trails are built on old roadbeds that travel down the fall line, making them very vulnerable to erosion from running water.