This was our effort to get in a hike on Monday. After ditching hikes to Annette Lake and Rainbow Lake we drove back on I-90 and discovered it was not raining in the Issaquah area so off to Cougar Mt. We started at Anti-Aircraft Peak and descended via the Anti-Aircraft Ridge Trail to Cougar Pass, then over to Fred's Railroad Trail the going to Long View Peak and returning via Deceiver, Shy Bear, Fred's Railroad, Klondike Swamp and Tibbett's Marsh to the car, about an 7 mile RT with maybe 800 to 1000 feet of elevation gain. No fall foliage yet but leaves are falling. Forest still leafy so no views from Long View Peak (we could make out Puget Sound through the trees). Trails are in good condition but Fall/Winter rains will change that, probably soon. Hike was a nice work out with friends and a good alternative to Cascade Hikes which were wet.

Cougar Mt trails are well maintained, well signed and in thick forests. A trail map is handy. They can be down loaded at King Co Parks website. The free supply of maps at the trail head were gone by noon. We started at the Redtown trail head and looped around on Cave Hole, By Pass, Fred's Railroad to Quarry. We took a side trip off Quarry to see Coal Creek Falls. There is still enough water to be pretty. Where Quarry and Indian Trail meet, we took a side trip to Redtown meadows. It is a lovely prairie restoration with benches for our lunch. Back to Indian Trail and down Wildside to the parking lot. This was a 6 mile hike and most enjoyable.

This day we were supposed to hike on the Old Suak River trail but rain and possible flooding conditions changed our idea as well as group size (from 12 to 3). We decided to do a Coal Creek Falls Loop from the Sky Country trail head on Cougar Mt. We lucked out with fairly dry conditions followed by hot beverages at Starbucks. The trail conditions are sloppy, muddy and wet. This did not prevent large numbers of trail runners from doing their thing nor the three of us (Peak Master Paul, Juggernaut Jeff, and Alpine Art) from getting out. Coal Creek is running 'high' and the falls were as pretty as I have seen them.

Went out for an afternoon hike loop starting on Old Man's Trail, then to Cave Hole, then Coal Creek Falls to Quarry, and up Fred's Railroad to come back via the bypass trail. This was a great first hike of the spring for me, perfect level of challenge and lots of visual interest. There was lots of water and muddy spots along the trail but nothing more than an inch or so deep. There is a tree that has tipped near Coal Creek Falls that took out part of the trail when it fell and a few other blown down trees across parts of Quarry Ridge and Coal Creek Falls Trail. Overall, though, the trails are wide and easy and in great shape. This would be a good family hike; I saw lots of families out on it, some with pets.

This was a five or so mile loop starting from "Sky Country" parking area in Cougar Mt. Regional Park. The trails are all dry and in some places damp but no mud or other problems often found in the area most of the year. The creeks are dry or only a trickle so this area is much drier than typical. No real views other than "Jerry's Pond?" at the end of the Mine Shaft Trail. Trip has modest elevation gain (maybe 300 feet) and is fairly easy walking. Most of the loop may now be known as the "Bear Loop" but I know I missed some of the loop. On Sunday there were a fair number of folks walking, running and enjoying the sun. Trail is very well shaded (thus no views) and a nice walk on a hot day.