Old Cougar Mountain must have got hit pretty hard last weekend, most of the trails and especially Lost Beagle were pretty muddy. It was a nice little hike however, my first of the year. It was overcast most of the 3 hours I was up there, but didn't rain a drop. Lots of mud and some water over most of the trails but was no problem getting around with the new boots. Will be back soon to check out some of the trails I missed.

Another hike with the Issaquah Alps Club, moderate in length and elevation gain but a good tune up hike for the upcoming season. Denis Harney was our leader on a hike I have done before, looping past all three water falls in Cougar Mt. Park.

The hike started on the Wildside Trail which has a series of undulations, some of which are moderately steep providing a good warm up quickly. Once off the Wildside Trail, the first falls (Far Country Falls) can be seen just off the Indian Trail, and from here to the Far Country Look Out is a short hike up hill. The trails to this point were in good shape considering the recent snow and rain. Snow was evident on the sides of the trails, but no snow on the trails.

From the Far Country Look Out, view has been obscured a bit by tree growth over the last 10 years, we walked Shy Bear and Deceiver Trails to Doughty Falls (not impressive for the water flow over the rocks but worth the short side trail to the falls). The Deceiver Trail did have some mud holes as did the Long View Peak Trail and other trails that followed.

Off the Long View Peak Trail, we then followed Shy Bear to Fred's Railroad and then via the Quarry Trail to the Coal Creek Falls Trail. Coal Creek Falls was impressive with lots of water from recent rains and snow melt coming over the falls. After the falls, the trails were in good shape, with the Cave Hole and Red Town Trails being dry and hard packed (old road or railroad beds).

Weather was great, mild with just a bit of a rain shower near the end of the hike.

Statistics, 6.5 miles of walking, 1200 to 1500 feet of elevation gain and loss.

Sun was out and temperatures were mild (low 40's) for a 'climb' of Wilderness Peak. Snow was evident around the parking area and on the beginning of the Old Man Trail but the trails were mostly damp, muddy in places with no ice to worry about.

Total hike took about 2 hours to cover 4 miles and 500 to 600 feet of elevation gain. All the area looked pretty in the 1/4 to 1 inch of snow cover. A few folks were out on the trails including trail runners, dog walkers and hikers.

This is not a typical hike due to the non-view situation at Wilderness Peak. Views were evident coming down the Wilderness Peak Trail (out toward Long View Peak). Alex who left a message at the peak register was disappointed by the lack of a view - he should try Longview Peak next time in the area.

HAPPY TRAILS!

Another short loop in Cougar Mountain Park with the daughter. The weather was clear and very sunny (needed my sun glasses on for much of the drive and hike). The first thing I noticed was that while the air temperature was relatively warm, there was frost on the ground. In some places on the Quarry and Coal Creek Falls Trails, the frost was more like ice/mud slick, brown and hard to see.

As noted in a recent report, the Old Man, Nike, By Pass and Fred's Railroad Trails are all in good shape with minimal mud (in part due to the cold ground which turned mud into a hard packed surface). The Quarry and Coal Creek trails were icy on the south slope with the Coal Creek Trail going down to the falls quite icy in places. The frost did make for some interesting views of ferns.

The falls were great with lots of water coming down them. After the falls the Coal Creek and Cave Hole Trails were muddy with several nice mud holes to step around.

The weather made this hike a good one if not great exercise.