Wilderness Creek #COUGAR-E6,Wilderness Cliffs #COUGAR-E5,Shy Bear #COUGAR-S2,Deceiver #COUGAR-S3,Quarry #COUGAR-C6
May 13, 2006
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Wilderness Cliffs
- Region: Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
- Trails: Wilderness Cliffs (#COUGAR-E5)
- Avg Rating: 2.75
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Shy Bear
- Region: Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
- Trails: Shy Bear (#COUGAR-S2)
- Avg Rating: 3.25
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Deceiver
- Region: Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
- Trails: Deceiver (#COUGAR-S3)
- Avg Rating: 3.40
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Quarry
- Region: Issaquah Alps -- Cougar Mountain
- Trails: Quarry (#COUGAR-C6)
- Avg Rating: 3.25
- Be Aware Of
- Bugs
Bill W and I started from the Wilderness Creek TH off Hwy 900 and ascended the trail through cool vibrant green forest, layered with blooming shrubs and myriads of tiny wildflowers. We climbed to the junction with Shy Bear and then hiked to Long View Peak (which doesn't have a view!). Then followed through quiet forest on the Deceiver Ridge to Far Country. Had lunch at Far Country, with a hazy view out towards Lake Washington and distant Cascade peaks. Descended towards Indian Trail and then turned back uphill on Quarry Trail. We took another break at Coal Creek Falls and then climbed back to Shy Bear Pass. We completed our long skinny loop as we climbed the Wilderness Peak Trail and then dropped down the steepish Wilderness Cliffs back to Wilderness Creek, pretty much encompassing the entire southern end of Cougar, with the exception of the De Leo Wall area.
The trails are in great shape and the forest was quite magical in its delicate spring beauty. The people we met were pleasant; a variety of trailrunners and hikers, young and old. There were some interesting pooches, including a very furry malamute and some labradoodles, black and white.
This area is a great resource and treasure, thanks to the work of Harvey Manning, the Mountaineers and numerous volunteer trail maintenance individuals, as well as the K.C. Parks Department. My friend and I were able to get in a good work out, with 9 miles, 2000+ gain, without driving miles and miles. It's a great place for beginning hikers and folks with children. I especially love this more ""wild"" side of Cougar. It's sometimes hard to visualize that you're just within a mile or so of some big tract home neighborhoods and the Pugetopolis. Quiet sounds, running streams, bird calls and the gentle breeze through trees. Nice place.
Some early bugs showing up, but no bites yet. Trails are dampish in spots but not swampy. Lots of western bleeding heart, miner's lettuce, elderberry, salmonberry, solomon's seal, serviceberry, wild strawberry, Oregon grape, herb Robert, and red huckleberry (trillium and currants are over blooming).
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