This was a GREAT hike! 19 of us (plus 5 pups) accomplished this hike on April 5. The weather was gorgeous, blue and sunny but not too terribly hot that early in the morning. We ran across some WTA volunteers working off Red Town Trail, building a bridge. They made a big deal with kids (sharing chocolate yay!) and really getting the kids excited about our hike. I was very impressed with the WTA volunteers!

We also got to see some deer on Red Town Trail. Coal Creek falls was pretty full this time of year.

We started from the Sky Country Trailhead, and the parking was gorgeous!! We went past the Red Town Trailhead along the hike, and as usual the parking was PACKED! It was definitely worth the extra hiking distance to park at Sky Country.

The trials were in great shape, although there were a few spots on the Quarry Trail that could use some strengthening up, where it's washed out a bit. I assume this is a common problem on this rather narrow, steep trail. We just watched the kids and pups a little closer on this trail. There was also one spot in particular towards the end (closer to the Indian Trail) that was a big, big puddle (think like 6 feet across) where it was a little tricky getting around the water.

We ran across a few other hikers, but mostly had the place to ourselves. There was a bit of mud on pretty much every trail, but it wasn't too bad.

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.

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.