iked one of my go-to loops at Cougar - I call it the Three Waterfall Loop– today done clockwise:
Start at Sky Country trailhead. Up Clay Pit Road to Fred’s Railroad, right on Freds Railroad to Shy Bear trail/Shy Bear Pass. From Shy Bear Pass onto Long View Trail (where there has been some recent clearing of downed trees, thank you!) which turns into Deceiver Trail. Past Doughty Falls (which was running a bit more strongly than usual it seemed) to Shy Bear Trail, left on Shy Bear Trail, which turns into Far Country Trail - divert to Far Country Overlook to have lunch on the bench there. Down to Indian Trail past charming mossy Far Country Falls, right on Quarry Trail for a well graded 350 foot ascent, left on Coal Creek Falls trail past the falls which were running quite nicely today (looks like the bridge there has been recently repaired/rebuilt). Climb out of the Coal Creek valley to the Cave Hole trail, take a right and uphill on that, then left on Nike Horse Trail and back to the car.
Trails were all in great shape and well marked but definitely take a map! One this winter weekday we saw one trail runner, and a total of 6 other hikers. I like Cougar for the somewhat more open forest than other parts of the Issaquah Alps, the smooth trails, and the options for so many loops. Stats for this loop: 12 different named trails, 6.6 miles, and about 1200 feet of gain with the ups and downs.
We found some gloves at the trailhead - did you lose some?
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