Wilderness Peak Loop — Friday, Apr. 19, 2002

Issaquah Alps > Cougar Mountain

I got my wife to do some peak bagging. Surprising since she thinks the idea of hitting every highpoint with a name is stupid. We only had a few hours so we headed to Rattlesnake Mountain. By the time we arrived in North Bend, it was raining. Knowing I needed my wife to have a fun (dry) time, I turned around and went to the only place I could think of that would have nice weather. I bought a $3 map of the Cougar Mountain Trails a few months ago. I was interested in doing all the named summits that were given to each high point in this King County park. We parked at the Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead. Took the AA ridge trail to the Clay pit, then Mine Shaft trail (past the very cool mine shaft) to the area of Clay pit Peak 1560+. About 5 minutes of off trail tromping got us to the top. This was my new lowest peak climbed in Washington. We hiked back to the trail and soon found an old shortcut trail to the top of Wilderness Peak (1,595 ft). This peak was my new lowest peak that has a register! Next we hiked over and along the trail to Long View Peak (1,445 ft). Another nice little forested point, now the new lowest peak climbed. Finally, we took Fred's Railroad Tr. and AA ridge trail back to the parking lot. We also walked up the short distance to Anti-Aircraft Peak (1,483 ft.). We had a good time, stayed dry and got back in time for work.