Thanks to DillyDolly for posting about the salmon running on Coal Creek now. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I've lived 1 mile from Coal Creek for 30 years and I've never seen salmon running until today. 

We probably saw 30 salmon in various stages of degradation. At least half have already spawned and died . 

We saw salmon all the way from the retention pond near Coal Crk Pkwy to the Primrose mine area. They even made it above a 5 foot waterfall (see video)

Really exciting to see salmon! Some alive and some dead. 

I feel fortunate to have Greenbelt trails coming right out of my backyard. This is one of our favorite loops. It goes up to the top of The Summit neighborhood with nice views, then down through Cougar Mountain Park,  then back up the greenbelt trails to home. The forest walking was unusually nice with the recent rains and cloudy sky illumination.

8mi, 1400ft

We hiked the Coal Creek Trail and the Primrose Trail loop.   There are plenty of ripe blackberries along the paths.    A few damp patches on Primrose Trail down by the creek, but nothing too muddy or slippery.   We enjoyed reading the interpretive signs about the coal mining history of Newcastle along the Coal Creek Trail.

Trail was well maintained. Only area of caution is on the Primrose Trail near coal creek, the trail edge has fallen off a bit and narrows, likely due to some erosion. Easy to pass through, just be aware.

Waterfalls and creek were flowing and looking beautiful!