Red Town Meadow & Trails, Indian Trail, Shy Bear, Fred's Railroad, Quarry, Coal Creek Falls, Cave Hole, Nike Horse Trail, Sky Country & Military Road — Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

We had a great hike on a very uncrowded Cougar Mtn today.  It was sunny and 42 degrees when we meet at the Redtown Trailhead lot at 9:30. Seven other cars were parked there, not counting 2 Kind County Park trucks. Several workers were assembling a new trailhead kiosk. We did not have to wait for construction on Lakemont to turn into the lot.  The Porta Pottie had supplies but was unclean.  We made a 6 mile loop following Redtown Trail, Indian, Shy Bear, Fred’s Railroad, Quarry, Coal Creek Falls, Cave Hole, Nike Horse, Sky Country and Military Road Trails back to Redtown TH.  All the trails were clear of leaf debris and branches and were well drained except a short section on Military Road trail.  Wildlife sightings were limited to a couple gray squirrels, juncos, creepers and finches. We saw my first ever Earth Star mushroom.  Most of the other fungi looked squishy and well past it’s prime.  Thanks to whoever built new sections of elevated logs over the muddy swamp area on the Shy Bear Trail, it made that section mush easier to navigate.  We had most of the trails to ourselves except when leaving our lunch spot near Coal Creek Falls just after 12:30.  Hikers and walkers came out of in droves on that trail section.  What a great sunny day to be out in nature with friends.