Wildside Trail-De Leo Wall, CrossTown Trail - Newcastle & Marshall's Hill — Thursday, Apr. 4, 2024

After a hiking friend mentioned the chocolate lilies were blooming on Cougar Mountain I just had to go check them out.  The weather forecast was rain starting early afternoon so we decided to take a short hike from the Ballybunion Trailhead in the Terrace Neighborhood.  It was overcast skies and 39 degrees when we started at 9:45.  Our 2.4 mile route followed Crosstown East, Right on Lower DeLeo Wall to the Viewpoint and then completed the loop back to Marshall Hill trail and reconnecting with Crosstown trail. Cougar Mountain Park is indeed alive with wildflowers blooming.  We saw Oregon grape, chocolate lilies, yellow Douglas violets, fawn lilies and currant. It was disappointing to see the small patch of chocolate lilies had half the buds nipped off … animal or humans?   I assume miners lettuce and bleeding heart are also out just not on the trails we followed in an attempt to beat the rain.  Trail traffic was super light we passed 3 other small groups on the DeLeo Wall trail.  The rain started falling and wouldn’t let up so no further exploring today.  Another fantastic day out in nature.