What a lot of trails for such a short hike! I covered about 5 miles of wet soggy trail in Cougar Mt. park on Friday. The hike was in solitude but the trails are very wet with standing water and mud-holes. The purpose was to see Coal Creek Falls in winter and the hike was worth it. Heading from the AA Peak Trail head I walked down Lost Beagle to the Klondike Swamp, then via a connector to Cave Hole, down to the Coal Creek Falls trail. Most of these trails are in good if slightly muddy condition. The falls trail is in excellent shape and you can hear the water roaring over the falls as you get near. After a snack and some photos, I continued on to the Quarry Trail, then back via Fred's Railroad, AA Ridge to my car. I saw only one other person on the hike and no wildlife. The rain was constant and I was soaked but happy on getting back to my car. Hike took about 3 hours.

The hike had a little bit of everything in it, views of the Cascades, flowers, sun, rain and hail. I started the loop at Anti-Aircraft Peak and wandered down the Shangri-La and Bear Ridge trails to highway 900. Both trails are in relatively good shape with some mud but not the swamp many trails turn into this time of year. Queen Ann’s lace is beginning to flower on the Shangri-La trail but did not see more of this plant on the rest of the hike. On the first leg of the loop views of the Cascades, Tiger and Squak Mountains were great, sun filtered through the spring forest and signs of summer were evident. The hike along Highway 900 was not bad and there is a wide shoulder to walk along for most of this part of the route. One note of caution is that there is a section of about 100 yards with very little shoulder on either side of the highway. I went up the Wilderness Creek and Cliff trails in rain and hail. The sun came out again as I stopped for lunch on the Wilderness Peak Summit. One of the surprises on this section of the hike is a new connector trail to Squak Mt. – E1. There also appears to be an unofficial trail off the Wilderness Peak Summit that may connect with the Cliff trail. I did not walk much of the trail but it does appear to be getting used. From Wilderness Peak I hiked, Shy Bear, Fred’s Railroad, Cougar Pass and Anti-Aircraft Ridge trails back to my vehicle. These trails have mud and water running over them. The trail quality varied from great to boot sucking mud holes. Again the weather provided a mixture of sun, rain and some hail. This hike was a great conditioner for me at least with some distance and good uphill work put in with a typical spring day in Seattle. The forests are beginning to come out of winter even as snow piles up in the Olympics and Cascades. It is a great time to walk and smell the roses.

Only had time for a short hike on Saturday so we headed toward Cougar Mountain. Started at the Anti-Aircraft Peak trailhead. Did a loop starting with the Tibetts Marsh trail which leads to the Clay Pit which appears to be still in operation. Found the Mine Shaft trail and went to the old shaft in the ground which looks foreboding. Took the East Fork trail and then Fred's Railroad trail. Next was Cougar Pass trail and then Anti-Aircraft Ridge back to the trailhead. Trails were in great shape, well maintained and the signs were excellent. Only significant event occcured when I was startled (scared sh--less, really) by two dogs who ran up at full speed behind me. I turned and yelled thinking a cougar was going to be behind me. I raised my arms and yelled. My wife screamed as well. The dogs looked at me like I was crazy and turned and ran away. The adrenalin sure was pumping. I'm a dog person but the park rules state that dogs are to be leashed. People, please control your animals especially if you choose to not follow the rules.

Ah, Spring! Trilliums and other forest blooms, mudholes and the occasional blow-down. Cougar seemed deserted on this day of unstable spring weather. All day, huge clouds were piling up threatening showers, the air was crisp and fresh and tiny ice pellets teased. No rain, practically no people in an area right next to Newcastle and Issaquah. The two of us climbed the Wilderness Creek trail from its trailhead off Hwy 900 (south of Issaquah)climbing about 800 ft to its junction with the Deceiver Ridge and Wilderness Peak trails. We were headed towards Anti-Aircraft today. We followed Shy Bear Trail for a way and then Fred's Railroad. Once on top of Cougar the way is just slight ups and downs, easy walking, although it was very muddy in places. We found the Claypit Road, crossed it and next followed Klondike Swamp, Lost Beagle, Tibbett's Marsh and Shangri La trails to AA Peak. There were only about six cars in the parking lot. Lunch was served at a picnic table overlooking Lake Sammamish and the Issaquah Plateau. The air was really chilly and a breeze was frisking up the northern face of Cougar so we didn't linger long. Going back, we hiked Tibbett's Marsh Trail to the Claypit and then Mine Shaft (a great dark hole!) and Loop Trails back to Fred's RR. Then we took Wilderness Peak and Cliffs Trails back to the car. Spring blossums noted: Trilliums, wood's violet, red currant, daffodil (planted), Indian plum, coltsfoot, skunk cabbage, red huckleberry, salmonberry and Oregon Grape. The ferns are unfolding their fiddleheads and the nettles are standing about 12"" high. We also heard at least one bumblebee out on spring maneuvers, as well as numerous songbirds. Stats: 9.6 miles, 1500 ft+ gain.