Cave Hole, Military Road, Sky Country, Old Man's Trail, Coyote Creek, Harvey Manning Trail, Tibbett's Marsh, Cougar Pass & Shangri La — Monday, Jan. 2, 2023

Everyone was out on the trails at Cougar Mtn Regional Park today!  What a great day to ring in the new year with time in nature.  We pulled into the Redtown TH at 9:00 and barely found spots to park.  It was a cool 38 degrees with frost on the ground and mostly clearing skies.  The Porta Potties were open with limited supplies.  We made 7.5 mile loop following Redtown Creek, Military Road, Sky Country, Old Man’s Tr, Coyote Creek, Shangrila, Tibbett’s Marsh, Harvey Manning, Cougar Pass and Cave Hole Trails.  All the trails were muddy and fairly clear of branches and tree debris.  Everywhere you saw evidence of recent trail clearing with chainsaw dust and trees sticking out at odd angles.  We did have to step over 4+ logs that have yet to be cleared.  The sun was out and Mt Baker and the snowy Cascades were in perfect view from the Million Dollar Pagoda.  Just before noon we ate a snack at one of the covered picnic shelters at the Harvey Manning Trail Head.  The Porta Potty at this area is now gone and there were signs on the Restroom  building indicated that it was “Out of Order”. Plan to Green Door it you hike in that area.  It felt great to feel the suns warmth for the first time in weeks.  Trail traffic was supper busy on every trail - dog walkers, hikers and runners galore.  Everyone was courteous and stepped aside to let others pass by.  We intentionally avoided the 3  waterfall trails expecting they would be more crowded on a Holiday weekend and fantastic winter weather day.  Arriving back at Redtown TH at 1:00 the lot was jammed with a row of cars parked in the middle and people circling the lot hoping to find parking spaces.  Another fantastic day out in nature making trail memories with friends!