Walked the Coal Creek trails on this Superb Owl Sunday. Parking at the Red Town lot on the east end is free but a bit of a goat rodeo today, seems like everybody wanted to get a walk in before the game. Facilities are limited to a very well used sanican. Note, the normal main lot off Coal Creek Parkway remains closed due to construction on the west end. Interestingly, there is no signage about the trail closure anywhere near the Red Town lot that I could see, nothing until you actually get to the closure which is just west of where the trail from the Forest Drive trailhead comes down slope. Forest Drive has room for 4-5 cars and no facilities.
Our route was a basic out and back from Red Town using Primrose on the way down and the normal route coming back. Trails are muddy in places and somewhat slippery on a few of the slopes. Additionally, there are several new blow downs that have not yet been cleared, a couple relatively easy step overs and one that fell across a switchback so you duck under then step over the same large tree. Not much wildlife out today, a few song birds and heard a couple woodpeckers but no owls unfortunately. Views of the forest and the creek are really nice this time of year. Northfork falls on the east is nice, but don’t miss the less volume but taller falls along the primrose trail which is really pretty this time of year. For those interested, this section has a bunch of historical artifacts from the mining/railroad history of the area. Don’t forget to look into the creek at the east end to see actual chunks of coal. A super nice walk with a bunch to see, just make sure to account for the parking lot and trail closure on the west end due to construction.
Link to further information about the construction project - https://kingcounty.gov/uk-ua/dept/dnrp/waste-services/wastewater-treatment/capital-projects/coal-creek/about
Link to additional history of the area - https://www.historylink.org/File/23384
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