Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 1.71 miles/113 vertical feet.

Parking: Only one other car at Sky Country lot at 4:20 PM on a cloudy Tuesday.  Lot has port-a-potty.

Trails: They are in great shape, despite the rain.  I wore flat-soled, plasticy shoes that yearn to slide and had solid traction everywhere but by the field on Old Man's and Nike Horse.  Near the field, the trails have easily-avoided standing water and a few lurking patches of slippery mud.  These trails are nothing like five years ago (before WTA water diversion work); then they were like trudging through a swamp.

Wildlife: Quiet these days.

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.

Starting at the Sky Country trailhead, we did a loop following the trails listed above. Total mileage and elevation were 7.0 miles and 1100 feet of gain. 

This makes a sweet little loop, with three waterfalls (Doughty, Far Country, and Coal Creek), and two overlooks (Long View Peak and Far Country). The falls were running well from the recent rain, and we were not rained on, so a very successful mid-week ramble at Cougar. We saw some animal prints, deer, definitely racoon, and possibly something bigger, maybe even bear? 

Trails are well marked but carry a map, preferably readily accessible for quick access. 

Water is thundering over Coal Creek Falls!

Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Hike GPS data for Google Earth viewing

Per Garmin, 4.42 miles/647 vertical feet.

Parking: Plenty of parking at Sky Country at about 2 PM on a sometimes-sunny-sometimes-rainy Tuesday.  Lot has a port-a-potty.

Trail: Some alders are down across the East Fork Trail, Cougar Pass Trail, and By Pass Trail, but they are manageable.  Five years ago, every Cougar Mountain trail would be some combination of swamp and stream.  Thanks to years of WTA work, there was just one portion of Quarry that was 100+ feet of stream.  Everywhere else, successful WTA water diverting was in evidence. 

Hazard: Maintenance folks have cleared nearly all of the maple leaves, but now the alder leaves are down.  With leaves covering the trails, it is impossible to guess whether your next step will be swallowed by mud or whether you'll roll your ankle on an unseen rock.  Please don't run trails with heavy leaf cover; it's just not worth an injury that slows you down.

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, 5.14 miles/765 vertical feet.

Parking: I took the last parking spot at Red Town at about 10:30 AM on a sunny-but-cold Sunday morning.  If Red Town is full, you can park at Sky Country, but there is also public street parking with access to Little Creek Trail (up SE Cougar Mountain Way a little) and the water tank road (in Newcastle).

Trail: Traction is pretty good: no standing/running water; no frost, snow, or ice yet.  The one footing risk is round, loose stones under leaf litter.  Be careful not to charge downhill at top speed across dense leaf litter, you might turn your ankle.

Wildlife: Woodpecker, small alarmed mammals, coyotes yipping in the distance.

Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Per Garmin: About 3.75 miles.

Parking: Plenty of room at Sky Country parking lot on a sunny-but-cold Saturday.

Trail: Most trails are dry and clear of leaves; offering good traction.  The only threat to footing was some leaves on steep Quarry sections.  Three trees were down across Quarry: two you can step over, one you need to crouch under.

Wildlife: Too cold for much.  Some interesting mushrooms were fruiting out of tree moss.