A short walk in the cold was my objective for this day. Clear skies and moderating temperatures (it was above freezing - about 35 degrees - at the Sky Country Trail Head). Not many folks out on this afternoon and the trails were concrete hard frozen with ice everywhere water flowed. The ice was not a problem except for a short stretch on Red Town Trail near the "ball park" which was about 10 feet in length and required modest caution. Once temperatures return to normal, trails will get quite muddy so I was glad to have the time to enjoy the benefits of our freeze. In general the trails were in super shape, mud holes all frozen and solid for easy walking. On the return saw Seattle area covered in a brown haze (smog) due to the lack of turbulent air mixing - looking forward to the rain/snow to move this junk out.

This is a tale of two hikes in the Issaquah Alps over the last two Saturdays. The first hike was on November 14th and did a loop hike to Coal Creek Falls from the Sky Country Trail Head. This is a short 3 mile walk on good trails which were not very muddy and had no significant blow down. There is a new bridge over Coal Creek on the trail, quite nice and likely overdue. On the more recent Saturday, I walked to Wilderness Peak from the Sky Country Trail Head and then to Long View Peak, returning via the Deceiver and Shy Bear Trails. On the 21st there was more evidence of wind fall (blow down) but nothing that could not be stepped over easily. The trails were a bit more muddy and Shy Bear Marsh was more like a shallow lake. On both days I avoided rain, a nice thing, and saw deer tracks in the mud. Trails are still in good shape despite the rain.

Old Cougar Mountain must have got hit pretty hard last weekend, most of the trails and especially Lost Beagle were pretty muddy. It was a nice little hike however, my first of the year. It was overcast most of the 3 hours I was up there, but didn't rain a drop. Lots of mud and some water over most of the trails but was no problem getting around with the new boots. Will be back soon to check out some of the trails I missed.

Another hike with the Issaquah Alps Club, moderate in length and elevation gain but a good tune up hike for the upcoming season. Denis Harney was our leader on a hike I have done before, looping past all three water falls in Cougar Mt. Park. The hike started on the Wildside Trail which has a series of undulations, some of which are moderately steep providing a good warm up quickly. Once off the Wildside Trail, the first falls (Far Country Falls) can be seen just off the Indian Trail, and from here to the Far Country Look Out is a short hike up hill. The trails to this point were in good shape considering the recent snow and rain. Snow was evident on the sides of the trails, but no snow on the trails. From the Far Country Look Out, view has been obscured a bit by tree growth over the last 10 years, we walked Shy Bear and Deceiver Trails to Doughty Falls (not impressive for the water flow over the rocks but worth the short side trail to the falls). The Deceiver Trail did have some mud holes as did the Long View Peak Trail and other trails that followed. Off the Long View Peak Trail, we then followed Shy Bear to Fred's Railroad and then via the Quarry Trail to the Coal Creek Falls Trail. Coal Creek Falls was impressive with lots of water from recent rains and snow melt coming over the falls. After the falls, the trails were in good shape, with the Cave Hole and Red Town Trails being dry and hard packed (old road or railroad beds). Weather was great, mild with just a bit of a rain shower near the end of the hike. Statistics, 6.5 miles of walking, 1200 to 1500 feet of elevation gain and loss.

Sun was out and temperatures were mild (low 40's) for a 'climb' of Wilderness Peak. Snow was evident around the parking area and on the beginning of the Old Man Trail but the trails were mostly damp, muddy in places with no ice to worry about. Total hike took about 2 hours to cover 4 miles and 500 to 600 feet of elevation gain. All the area looked pretty in the 1/4 to 1 inch of snow cover. A few folks were out on the trails including trail runners, dog walkers and hikers. This is not a typical hike due to the non-view situation at Wilderness Peak. Views were evident coming down the Wilderness Peak Trail (out toward Long View Peak). Alex who left a message at the peak register was disappointed by the lack of a view - he should try Longview Peak next time in the area. HAPPY TRAILS!