Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 2.85 miles/166 vertical feet.

Parking: Plenty of parking at Sky Country at 3:15 PM on a cloudy Thursday.  Port-a-potty in lot.

Trail: Damp but clear.  Thin mud appears regularly, puddles occasionally.  Overall, the traction is superb; especially for January.

Wildlife: Saw small birds; heard birds singing, a woodpecker tapping, and frogs croaking!

Since Christmas, I have been working on summiting 16 different high points in the Issaquah Alps from my front door.  Each summit was an out-and-back from where I live to a summit.  I had achieved nine summits up until NYE, when I decided to change plans a bit for the last day of the year.  For this day, I would attempt to summit 13 different highpoints in the Issaquah Alps in one big loop from my front door. 

I have attempted to list all the trails on this but have also included my GPS track below.

Leaving just before day break, I made my way to Cougar Mountain and enjoyed the rolling trails of this area to summit Anti-aircraft Peak, Bellevue High Point, Radio Peak, Clay Pit Peak, Newcastle Hill, Long View Peak and Wilderness Peak.  Trails were in great shape, with just some muddy sections and blowdowns to step over.  Clay Peak required a wet bushwhack to the summit that I do not look forward to having to do again to complete my “Every Single Summit” project!  Sunlight filtering through the branches made for some ethereal moments and the miles melted by.

After Cougar, it was up Squak via Margaret’s Way.  Again, trails are in great shape with muddy spots and some blowdowns.  I summited, West Squak, Central Squak and SE Squak.  SE Squak does have a path to the summit, though it is a bit overgrown in spots. 

Finally it was time to tackle the west Tigers.  Wanting to get up the mountain a bit more quickly, I opted at mile 29 to tackle Section Line and that was a bit of a grunt!   But smooth sailing afterwards along the ridge that leads to West Tiger II and finally West Tiger I, the last summit of the day and highest point of the day.   From there it was mostly downhill as meandered my way back home.

39 miles, nearly 11k of gain and a memorable way to finish the year!

After Bellevue High point, I took advantage of clear skies and made my way to my second summit of the day and another one I added late to my "Every Single Summit" project, Newcastle Hills.

I approached this time from Talus Drive and used the trails listed to make my way to the summit of this forested knob.  The trails are in good shape with some minor blowdowns and muddy spots.  It was a delightful jaunt though with the blue sky above and easy going manner of the Cougar Mountain Trails.

This was summit #9 of my planned 16 in the project.

14.5 miles with 3,000' of cumulative gain from my front door. 

Up next on my "Every Single Summit" project list was Wilderness Peak.  

Given that I had to work, this was a very early start with most of my trip to the summit being in the dark.  I used the trails listed above to get to the summit of Wilderness Peak.  They are all in good shape, with some blowdowns that are easy to navigate and some muddy sections but that is par for the course on Cougar Mountain this time of year. 

Unfortunately, no pictures to share given the lack of light during the trip.  

Peak #6.  11 miles and 2300 feet of gain from my house. 

Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 2.53 miles/163 vertical feet.

Parking: Only a few cars in Sky Country.  Port-a-potty in lot.

Trail: Not bad; Traction good.  Coyote is a little muddy, but otherwise no problem.

Wildlife: Some birds.

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.