Time of year to start hiking the Issaquah Alps more...this is one the loops I enjoy from Sky Country trailhead. This time we did it counterclockwise, starting with the downhill along the Cave Hole trail, past Coal Creek Falls (almost dry), up to Quarry trail, down to Indian Trail, up Shy Bear with lunch on the bench at Far Country Lookout, and return via Fred's Railroad and By Pass. All trails in good condition with no blowdowns and no mud either. Rained almost the whole time but that sort of made the fall colors glow more. Except for a couple trail runners at the very start we saw only 2 other people the whole way.

On the Shy Bear "boardwalk" portion we spotted what was apparently a mountain beaver, a furry thing about a foot long but never got a complete end to end look (or a photo) as it was scurrying under ferns and logs. 

Total stats for this loop: 6.5 miles and 900 feet of elevation. 

Despite the rain and wind of the past few days, there are still lots of beautifully colored leaves on the trees - and the ground.  The glorious sunlight dancing through the leaves on a relatively warm day made for a perfect fall walk.  A half mile from the Red Town trailhead saw a big drop in the number of people seen.  Some interesting mushrooms were on display.  Everyone seemed to be in a happy mood.  There was no reason not to be out in the beautiful area.

Starting from the Redtown Trailhead we had a great fall hike on Cougar Mtn today.  5 cars were in the lot when we pulled in at 9:00.  The porta potties were open with supplies. Our 5.6 mile loop hike followed Wildside, Marshall Hill, CrossTown, DeLeo Wall Viewpoint, Indian, Quarry,
Coal Creek Falls, Cave Hole, RedTown Creek and Military Trails.  Today was magical walking on a bed of recent fallen leaves with a golden canopy remaining above.  Recent heavy rain and wind made the saturated trail littered with small branch fronds to larger branches and downed trees.  It was evident the park users have moved several small branches off the trails and we had to walk around or step over a couple others.  Water has returned to Cougar Mtn and a trickle was coming down at Coal Creek Falls and more on the “Redtown Creek Trail.  On trails closer to Redtown King County Parks have been out with their blowers and trails were debris free and new drainage channels have been cleared out.  THANK YOU!!! Trail traffic was super light and all users could easily pass each other including the unleashed dogs.  We had no real wildlife sightings except a couple robins, juncos and a few frogs were croaking. The trailhead lot was 1/3 full when we pulled out at 1:30. Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.

After a great summer hiking season hiking further afield we returned to the Issaquah Alps today and had a great fall hike from Sky Country Th on Cougar Mtn.  It was sunny skies and 46 degrees when we pulled into the TH lot at 9:10. 8 other cars were in the lot and the Porta Potties had been recently cleaned.  We made a 6.4 mile loop hike following Old Man, Cave Hole, Coyote Creek, Shangri La, Viewpoint, Tibbett’s Marsh, East Fork, Fred’s Railroad, Quarry, Coal Creek Falls, Cave Hole and Nike Horse Trails. King County Parks do an excellent job of maintaining and clearing all trails in their parks.  Today two trail workers were toting chainsaws cleaning recent deadfall trees. THANK YOU!!!  All the trails are saturated soil with well drained side channels.  The few vine maples we saw are brilliant orange / red, fall fungi are sprouting up every where and the other deciduous tree are just starting their leaf color change.  You are still hiking in a shaded canopy on most trails.  Trail traffic was really light and was most busy near the Clay Pit road and Tibbett’s intersection where we meet KCP crews and trail users coming in  opposite directions.  The normally busy Coal Creek Falls loop was very quiet, most likely due to the absence of any flowing water.  As we headed back up the Cave Hole to Sky Country TH we passed a very enthusiastic class of Issaquah Middle School students on a day long field trip exploring the park.  In talking with one of the instructors we learned the program takes students on 5 single day field trip hikes all in the Issaquah Alp Peaks.  Great job Issaquah Middle for getting students out to enjoy the forest and become future forest stewards.  We stopped at the Million $ Viewpoint and enjoyed distant views to Mt Baker.  Our lunch snack break was on the log bench overlooking the Clay Pit area and Tiger Mt summits. The sun’s warmth felt great as it was the only really sunny spot on our hike.  Wildlife sightings were limited to a chipmunk, squirrel, robins, wrens and dragon flys.  We heard a couple frogs croaking near adjacent ponds and swampy areas.  More cars were in the TH lot when we drove out at 1:30.  Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.

Fall day hike, hoping the falls might be flowing after the recent rain but there is no water in coal creek yet. 
Beautiful morning and the banana slugs were enjoying the trail. 
Easy to get to, plenty of parking, portable potties at Red Town Trailhead.