We had a great hike on a very uncrowded Cougar Mtn today.  It was sunny and 42 degrees when we meet at the Redtown Trailhead lot at 9:30. Seven other cars were parked there, not counting 2 Kind County Park trucks. Several workers were assembling a new trailhead kiosk. We did not have to wait for construction on Lakemont to turn into the lot.  The Porta Pottie had supplies but was unclean.  We made a 6 mile loop following Redtown Trail, Indian, Shy Bear, Fred’s Railroad, Quarry, Coal Creek Falls, Cave Hole, Nike Horse, Sky Country and Military Road Trails back to Redtown TH.  All the trails were clear of leaf debris and branches and were well drained except a short section on Military Road trail.  Wildlife sightings were limited to a couple gray squirrels, juncos, creepers and finches. We saw my first ever Earth Star mushroom.  Most of the other fungi looked squishy and well past it’s prime.  Thanks to whoever built new sections of elevated logs over the muddy swamp area on the Shy Bear Trail, it made that section mush easier to navigate.  We had most of the trails to ourselves except when leaving our lunch spot near Coal Creek Falls just after 12:30.  Hikers and walkers came out of in droves on that trail section.  What a great sunny day to be out in nature with friends.

Did my 1st WTA work party of the year!  Our projects in this area were building/maintaining drainage, retread/regrading trail, pulling out stumps and roots and some brushing.  My main tasks of the day were retreading/regrading trail, root and stump removal.  I assisted in removing a large old root (see photo). Weather was cold in the am in the mid 30s but gradually warmed up later in the day with partly sunny skies.  Good times!  Happy trails!

Sky Country trail, Anti-aircraft peak: Both gates closed. :[ Backup parking also gated and closed. :[ I would characterize these trails as family trails targeting the "Seattle brunch" crowd; you know, people that struggle in to the parking lot around 11: 30am and get in their 45min walk and a picture before heading home for happy hour.

Just getting over the flu so needed something easy.  Had the good fortune of meeting Steve Wilkinson (King Co Parks Maintenance Coordinator) and his team doing some much needed drainage work on the Cave Hole Trail.  They have really been doing a great job on maintaining trails on Cougar and Squak. Much appreaciated.