Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 3.4 miles/397 vertical feet.

Parking: Sky Country lot was about 1/4 full at 1 PM on a sunny Wednesday afternoon; blue sky, no clouds.

Trail: Dry; not muddy, no puddles.  Still plenty of green, but it's definitely autumn.

Weather: It's cool.  I was comfortable in a coat and hat; didn't need gloves.

Wildlife: Heard another pileated woodpecker.  Saw/heard many snakes enjoying the afternoon sun.  Heard more birds singing than usual; reminded me of summer.

Caution: Blind corners and drivers disregarding traffic directionality create Sky Country parking lot hazards.  Every stretch of the figure-8-shaped lot is a one-way (see the attached picture).  Directionality is indicated with traffic signs and pavement arrows.  However, people frequently drive against the one-ways.  We’ve all disregarded parking lot traffic signs, but the lot has blind corners that are only safe when directionality is followed.  I have seen people charging excitedly into the parking lot and around blind corners with the confidence they have the right-of-way to the whole lane.  I have also seen people in a hurry to get home drive furiously around the same blind corners the wrong way.  At some point, people will collide.  So, do not be one of those people; recognize that, once you are in the parking lot, Mad Max rules apply and drive cautiously around every corner assuming someone could be hurtling against the one-way toward you.

Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 1.86 miles/142 vertical feet.

Parking: Parked on 166th Way SE, outside of the County gate up to the Sky Country lot, at about 7 PM.

(1) Remember, the County can lock it's Issaquah Alps gates at any point after dusk.  And, the sun is setting sooner than you might think.  So, if you are out late in the afternoon, park outside the gate so they don't lock you in.

(2) Even if you are not going out in pitch black, bring a light.  It gets darker under the tree cover than you would expect, fast.  And, this is a slippery time of year when visibility is key.  My favorite headlamp is Fenix.

Trail: Wet with some puddles but not muddy.  Pretty good traction, despite the rain.  Autumn color is encroaching but there is still plenty of green.

Wildlife: Interesting fungi, plenty of birds, and an adorable family of deer that were confused by my headlamp.

Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin: 2.42 miles/168 vertical feet.

Parking: Almost no one at the Sky Country parking lot at 5:30 PM on a rainy Thursday.

Trail: Wet but not muddy.  Years ago when I would run these trails in the autumn, they were muddy, puddle-strewn obstacle courses.  So much effort has gone into drainage channels and raised gravel trail beds.  Thank you thank you thank you WTA!

Caution: Blind corners and drivers disregarding traffic directionality create Sky Country parking lot hazards.  Every stretch of the figure-8-shaped lot is a one-way (see the attached picture).  Directionality is indicated with traffic signs and pavement arrows.  However, people frequently drive against the one-ways.  We’ve all disregarded parking lot traffic signs, but the lot has blind corners that are only safe when directionality is followed.  I have seen people charging excitedly into the parking lot and around blind corners with the confidence they have the right-of-way to the whole lane.  I have also seen people in a hurry to get home drive furiously around the same blind corners the wrong way.  At some point, people will collide.  So, do not be one of those people; recognize that, once you are in the parking lot, Mad Max rules apply and drive cautiously around every corner assuming someone could be hurtling against the one-way toward you.

After laying low for the week due to poor AQI, it was time to venture back out as the skies cleared.  Thought a simple out-and-back to Wilderness Peak from the trailhead off Newport way on Cougar Mountain would be a mellow start back into things.

Used the trails listed to make my way to Wilderness Peak (Strava link added for more detail on the route).  They are all fairly gradual in nature and non-technical making them another great intro to trail running.  Also due to the low elevation of the route, this would be a great winter conditioner.

While the mountain is still very green, more leaves that I expected to see had already fallen on the trails.  Autumn is creeping up on us!

No major obstacles along the way.

Round trip was ten miles with 2,200' of gain. 

Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 2.61 miles/174 vertical feet.

Parking: Plenty of Sky Country parking at about 1 PM on a partly-cloudy Thursday.

Berries: I saw ripe salal berries.  They are edible but vary a lot in flavor.

Air Quality: The air is finally clearing.  I could see blue sky again and the crisp outline of tree tops hundreds of feet away.  Hopefully, this lasts.

Trails: Klondike and Coyote look great (thanks to WTA work crews).  Years ago when I would run these trails in the autumn, they were muddy, puddle-strewn obstacle courses.  So much effort has gone into drainage channels and raised gravel trail beds.  Thank you thank you thank you WTA!

Wildlife: Only a few birds today.  I think more will emerge as the air clears.

Bugs: I recommend wearing long pants and tucking them into your socks.  This area is home to small, silent flies that try to bite your calves (where blood pressure is high).  They can get in under lose clothes (where mosquitoes can't) and their bites are small, irritating, and last for days.  I find that if I take precautions, I don't get bites.  When I'm careless and get bites, a paste of ground of aspirin and water under a band-aid over the bite eases the itching.

Caution: Blind corners and drivers disregarding traffic directionality create Sky Country parking lot hazards.  Every stretch of the figure-8-shaped lot is a one-way (see the attached picture).  Directionality is indicated with traffic signs and pavement arrows.  However, people frequently drive against the one-ways.  We’ve all disregarded parking lot traffic signs, but the lot has blind corners that are only safe when directionality is followed.  I have seen people charging excitedly into the parking lot and around blind corners with the confidence they have the right-of-way to the whole lane.  I have also seen people in a hurry to get home drive furiously around the same blind corners the wrong way.  At some point, people will collide.  So, do not be one of those people; recognize that, once you are in the parking lot, Mad Max rules apply and drive cautiously around every corner assuming someone could be hurtling against the one-way toward you.