Hike here today with a friend. We got a little turned around, but luckily ran into a very nice guy who helped us find our way to Coal Creek Falls. Not sure how we missed that well marked sign, but we did. Saw some cute little baby mice (most likely?) on the trail. Didn't spend too much time there. We'll have to return again & check out some of the other trails. Saw the WTA work party...thank you for your hard work!

It was our first hike in the Cougar Mountain region and we still wonder how we missed this region earlier, considering how close it is to our home. The region boasts of many short and long trails and we started off on the Coal Creek Parkway trail across the road from the Red Town trailhead. The parking lot in the Red Town trailhead was quite packed but we managed to find a spot. The trail is muddy with fall foliage covered with frost, but the forest is totally green and beautiful. We first hit the North Folk Falls, a short and pretty falls. After about a mile, we decided to head back and take the other short trails around. From the Red Town trailhead, we started off towards the Coal Creek Falls trail which is about a mile from the trailhead. It was perfect weather for a hike, little cold but dry with blue skies above. The trail is well maintained, muddy and not too difficult a hike. Once we reached the falls, we took a breather and enjoyed the scenary around. The forest is probably the best when wet and that is what we got to see all around. Wet with the melting frost, the entire forest was green and beautiful. The trees are quite thick at some spots blocking all the sunlight but the spots where the sun does get a peek provides some amazing photographic moments. Don't miss this one.

Hit Cougar Mt for the first time in ages and took in a lot of different trails. From the Red Town parking area I went up the Cave Hole Trail to the Coal Creeks Falls Trail. Turned off there and headed to the falls which are flowing nicely right now. I then climbed out of the falls area to the Quarry Trail which I took west to the Indian Trail. Then south on the Indian Trail to the short side trail to the Far Country Falls viewpoint. A smaller falls then Coal Creek but it was flowing nicely as well. From there I backtracked on the Indian Trail to the De Leo Wall trail and took that west to the viewpoint. A short backtrack to the trail split where the De Leo Wall trail climbs up and over the knob and then back down the other side to the viewpoint again. This trail was a bit overgrown in places headed back to the viewpoint. From there I retraced my steps on the De Leo Wall trail to the Wildside Trail taking that back to the junction with the Marshall Hill Trail where I missed a turn and ended up on the Red Town trail which eventually got me back to the parking lot. All trails are in good shape. Lots of leaves down and some mud puddles. The only blow down of significance is on the De Leo Wall trail headed to the viewpoint which I was able to straddle myself over. Both waterfalls I saw were flowing nicely and the De Leo Wall viewpoint had some great views to the south today with the clearing weather. About 8-10 cars in the Red Town parking lot when I arrived at 8:00 and it was overflowing when I returned back to my truck at 10:00. Lots of people out and about enjoying the dry, cool weather today. See you on the trail. SR

Great post-work evening hike. The falls were free-flowing thanks to recent rains. The trail was in good shape except for one small blowdown.

Coal Creek Falls has dried up. Decent work out after work. Arrived at trail head at 5:15 pm, there were about 5 cars at the trail head, and we saw ~10 people total on the trail. Trail itself is in very good condition. Initial ascent was relatively steep; it flattens out after 20 minutes or so, with some ups and downs in between. Other than the occasional siting of wildflowers, this loop has no view. I would consider this an excellent trail running site. Got out at about 6:45pm