Coal Creek Trail — Friday, Aug. 3, 2012

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain

It was very sunny, the trail was dry (it can get pretty muddy in the rainy season). I feel like the trail description was kind of weak. The trail has changed quite a bit, and isn't nearly as steep as it used to be. The trail is about a 6.0 mile hike to the Falls, according to the signs. There are several forks in the trail. To get to the falls: Follow the trail (you'll go up and down on the trail). There is a path a little way down that is fairly steep and small in width compared to the one you are on- you don't need to take that one. There will be a sign a little less than halfway there. The first fork I believe you can veer right or go straight. You'll want to veer right, it will be like you're in a blackberry meadow. Right after the meadow is a bench. You'll keep going, there will be another bench. There will be another fork in the road a bit after the second bench, go straight (it will look like a gravel road), don't veer to the left, it will come to a dead end in front of the creek. It isn't very big in the summer, but the falls are there. It took my girlfriend and I about 2.5 hours to complete the trip. We stopped a few times to take a breather, some of the hills are steep. Beautiful hike though. Also- I saw a few people with kids and dogs, so its not too rough.