This cloudy Saturday a dozen hikers from our hiking group took a loop hike to see three waterfalls on Cougar Mountain.

We started from Sky Country Trailhead at 10 am. The parking lot for hikers was almost full, but the lot for horse trailers was almost empty. We started out on Old Man's Trail, Cave Hole Trail, and Coal Creek Falls Trail to see Coal Creek Falls. Then we hiked Quarry Trail, Indian Trail and a short side trail to see Far Country Falls. Then we took Far Country Trail to go up to Far Country Lookout. We had lunch there and moved onto Shy Bear Trail, Deceiver Trail and a short side Trail to see Doughty Falls. Finally we took Long View Peak Trail, Shy Bear Trail, Fred's Railroad Trail, and Clay Pit Road to return to our cars.

It took us four hours to cover 7.7 miles with 1200 feet total elevation gain at a social pace enjoying conversation with each other and with frequent stops at trail junctions to make sure no one was lost. 

The weather was cloudy with a few sprinkles. The temperature was between 42 and 44 F. It was a pleasant hike close to home.

The trails were often muddy and as reported one week ago by daniemblem there were large downed trees just east of Doughty Falls on Deceiver Trail. But we all managed to go over them. We met several trail runners, hikers, and dog walkers with/without leashes.

See the link to my GPS track below.

We spent New Year's Day with a big counterclockwise loop totaling about 5.5 miles. Our route included these trails: Wildside, Marshall's Hill, De Leo Wall to the viewpoint trail, rejoining De Leo Wall, Indian with a brief stop at Far Country Falls, Quarry, Coal Creek Falls, Cave Hole, Red Town Creek to the dam, Military Road. 

Conditions were generally good, with a few blowdowns, all but one of which were easily stepped over. The side trail to the De Leo Wall viewpoint is significantly more challenging than the other trails within the park, including a rather steep downhill on a narrow and overgrown trail. Trekking poles were a huge help here. If you follow the same loop we did, be aware that the sign to the viewpoint was laying on the ground a good ways past the turnoff, but if you are alert for the trail going off to the left, it is fairly easy to find. The view is pretty broken, but there's a nice ledge to stop and have a (standing up) bite to eat. 

We saw a lot of people in the Coal Creek Falls vicinity, which was not surprising for a sunny holiday. There was sufficient parking at the trailhead, but it was getting full by late morning. 

Highly recommend that you download a map or grab a copy from the kiosk. The trails are well marked, but there are a lot of them and it's easy to get turned around. 

Trail was in great shape; snow free, just prepare for mud and puddles from the rain. Started on Nike Horse Trail, proceeded to Cave Hole Trail, finally to Coal Creek Falls Trail. Other trail options to extend the hike are easily available. Recommend having a map as there are lots of trails, making it easy to get lost without one.