Cave Hole, Coal Creek Falls, Quarry, Fred's Railroad, Shy Bear, Far Country, Indian Trail & Wildside Connector — Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021

Some friends and I completed a winter snow walk on Cougar Mtn from Redtown TH today.  It was an amazing winter wonderland landscape.  5 cars were in the lot when we pulled in at 10:00 AM.  It was 24 degrees with blue skies and no breeze.  The Sani can was clean and open for service.  We made a 6 mile counterclockwise loop following Redtown, Cave Hole, Coal Creek Falls, Quarry, Fred’s Railroad, Shy Bear, Far Country, Indian and Wildside trails.  My group wore wax tracks or micro spikes and carried hiking poles.  We did not have any traction problems or slipping on our entire route.  The snow was packed down so no breaking trail on  any of the trails.  We found a sunny spot on the Shy Bear trail and stopped to grab a quick trail snack and warm beverage.  Both Coal Creek and Far Country falls were beautiful will large flows surrounded by icicles.  Birds seemed to be everywhere today.  We saw a downy woodpecker, towhees, juncos, wrens and crows.  Trail traffic was super light and we saw less than 10 other trails users today.  It warmed up to 27 degrees when we arrived back to our vehicles at 1:40. Dressing in layers was the order of the day.  Another fantastic day to be out in nature with friends.