Taking advantage of a break in the weather, I rambled around the Cougar Mountain trails starting from the Sky Country trailhead. Most of the trails I hiked were in good condition, with some exceptions. The East Fork Trail has a number of fallen logs on it, and some mudholes that need a heavy application of gravel. Gloppy clay soils are a perennial problem on this trail. The connector trail (C9) from Cave Hole road/trail to Fred's RR Trail (C7) has some flattened drain dips that could use digging out.

A lot of trails for a 4 mile loop (approximate mileage) in Cougar Mt. Park, three of us, Alpine Art, Loren and Joani started from Sky Country Trail Head on a pleasant walk on trails and the Clay Pit Road. In general the trails are a bit muddy after recent rains but for most of our hike we had only drizzle if with mud holes. The East Fork trail was quite muddy at times but this is not unusual for this trail. My only misdirection on the hike was a short trip up Coyote Creek Trail rather than hiking Clay Pit Road to Klondike Swamp Trail.

Other than the mud the walk was great. Lots of dogs, runners and others out prior to the predicted arrival of rain in the afternoon.

I took advantage of a few hours of dry weather to tour some of Cougar Mountain's trails. The chilly storm engulfing the Northwest had left patches of snow on the higher regions of Cougar Mountain, but signs of spring abounded despite the cold weather.

In a suburban park like this, the trails should pass the tennis shoe test, that is one should be able to hike in tennis shoes without getting one's feet soaked in mud and water. For the most part, I found that Cougar Mountain's trails passed the test with flying colors.

One problem with Cougar Mountain is the gunfire noise coming in from the Renton Fish and Game Club. This noise seems to have gotten much worse in recent years. The club is not open monday or tuesday, so these days are the best time to hike if you want some peace and quiet here.

Here's more info on some of the trails I visited:

Shy Bear Trail

Highlights: A secluded valley with creeks and marshes abounding with newly sprouting skunk cabbages.

Condition: recently reworked by the WTA and in good shape

Deceiver Trail

Highlights: Pretty forest, Long View Peak (not much a view), beautiful mossy Doughty Falls, which is flowing strongly now.

Condition: Good, with signs of reworked tread. The Doughty Falls viewing spot now has log steps and there is a new bridge over the creek.

East Fork Trail

Highlights: A quiet forest trail with small creeks and ponds, the Clay Pit vista, mining artifacts

Condition: Formerly this trail suffered from water runoff and mud. Now it's much better than it used to be, thanks to the WTA

This time we did the east side of Cougar Mountain and found more interesting things. At the top of Wilderness Peak is a fabulous big wood bench with footrest, backrest, and arm rests. Pretty plush. The Clay Pit is big and still in production but there are rocks along the south edge for sitting and some views toward the north. Just a scant quarter mile west of the clay pit is an outrageous mine shaft that just goes deep deep deep. It is well grated with rebar and safe but fascinating. We dropped a few sticks down the mine shaft and they rattled down down out of hearing. Very fun.

All the trails are clear and mostly dry and the signage is excellent. The flowers are already starting - trillium, mountain rose, violets, coltsfoot, and bleeding heart. There is a little mud here and there but nothing to interrupt the joys of getting out on a nice day.

Winter just won't let go on Cougar Mountain, which sported a coat of new snow on its higher elevations today. But the sun finally did come out in the afternoon, promising better weather to come. There were lots of new leaves and buds on the plants--I even saw a trillium blooming.

Here are the conditions of the Cougar Mountain trails that I visited:

Old Man Trail (C11):

Good, a little muddy.

Bypass Trail (C9):

Good condition. One short slope was a bit scoured by water runoff.

East Fork Trail (C8):

Mud is a problem in spots. Recently worked on by the WTA. Drainage is working well, but some of the clay soil used for fill is mushy.

Tibbets Marsh Trail, south end from Clay Pit Road to creek(N9):

Some of the recent work done by the WTA may have to be redone, because the clay fill dirt has turned into a mushy, trampled mess in places. Hopefully, summer weather will solidify the clay permanently.

W. Tibbetts Creek (E10):

One of the prettier trails on Cougar, which gives views into Tibbetts Creek's little gorge. An old low-standard trail, muddy and rooty in places.

Bear Ridge (E3):

Another nice trail with some interesting scenery, home of the Fantastic Erratic. A few mud holes and eroded sections with failed drainage higher up. Great condition lower down.

Talus Connector

A new and well-crafted trail forming a useful link between the Bear Ridge Trail and the Talus development. In excellent condition.

Surprise Creek Trail (E2):

Serious drainage problems and erosion below No Name Trail junction. One big blowdown. This trail needs help! Above No Name, the trail is in much better condition, although the somewhat undersized drain dips (as usual) need maintenance.

Coyote Creek Trail (C3):

In good shape, mud holes are the main problem. There are a few filled-in drain dips toward the top end of the trail.