This was a last hike for the season. I had thought about going to Squak Mt. but decided to go to AA Peak and do a short loop. This was probably a good choice as the AA Peak parking lot was icy and the trails at this altitude were the same.

I did a short 4 mile loop and found the trails got better with warming temperatures and a drop in altitude. Once on the Protector Trail the snow and ice softened and even cleared for long stretches making walking easier. There was one significant blow down on the West Tibbets Creek Trail that needed to be ducked under (on hands and knees) but other than this obstacle the trails were relatively easy to walk.

The day was dry and without many people on the trails at 11:00. I saw a runner and dog but that was it for the 2 hours out. Cougar Mt. Park was stunning in the snow with some ""peek-a-boo"" views of the Cascades and Glacier Peak from the Shangri La Trail.

A trip to Cougar yesterday, and the Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead. This is obviously the quiet side of Cougar - I had the place to myself for three hours of wandering on a stunning, clear day, though two other cars did arrive as I left at 1.30pm. I've never yet found the Red Town trailhead with less than half a dozen cars.

The trails were in good condition - hard with frost early on, but when things melted after midday there were still only occasional muddy patches. Multiple minor blow-downs, including one awkwardly angled across the Bear Ridge Trail near the junction with W Tibbetts that could use a chainsaw.

Close in, and not too well-travelled - the north side of Cougar seems to be a good choice for a quick half day.

I had a short amount of time on Monday morning to do a walk/hike and went to Cougar Mt. area. The trails near AA Peak were quite muddy with a fair amount of snow on the sides of the trails.

The walk was an easy 2 miles that took about one hour. Other than the mud holes all of the trails were in good shape. A King County crew was working on improving drainage on the Shangri La trail.