Great forested hike on a cloudy day.  The trail is very well cared for.  Recent much needed brushing has been done.  We tried taking the old trail down from the summit but it is getting very overgrown.

Hiked this trail for the first time today with my 11-year-old. It was wonderful to see young, delicate leaves typically rugged plants like Oregon Grape and Salal. We also got excited about the impressive stands of Devil's Club along the boardwalks and the Orange Honeysuckle blooming near the top. A lush and lovely hike!

Five stars! This was a perfect, soft, green tunnel of pnw delights. Highly underrated trail with lots of whimsical plants and water features. Could meander for hours and hours.

We were the first ones at the trailhead at 8am.  There was a big pile of broken window glass in the parking lot so I did my usual unlock the car and roll down the windows routine. Breakins at local TH's are so common that you should never leave anything of value in your car.

In training Sky to walk on a leash we got a head halter (snoot loop).  It worked like a charm. Absolutely no pulling on the leash!  I highly recommend it at least for training.

The trail is in excellent condition.  I kicked away some loose rocks and branches but there really wasn't much work to do.  I've noticed that the trails have be really well kept for the past few years.   A testimony to Steve Wilkinson and his maintenance crew as well as a great community of trail users who care for the trails.

Started asscent up to Cougar Mountain Summit using the Gombu cliff path. Offers great views of the vegation as you make your way up. Path is well maintained with packed dirt making up the vast majority of path. As you make your way up that path a fork in the trail is eventually seen with one continuing up the cliff with the other taking a very short walk to a bench for resting next to a very tall S-shaped evergreen worth a picture. 

Summit does not offer and lookout views or markers, just a small bench and summit log book. Took the Wilderness path down to complete the loop. Overall this path is less steep but will have a few spots that reach a greater slope than anything on Gombu. I would recommend Gombu for the way up. Wilderness features stretches of walking across wooden planks over a small bog area that was photo worthy. 

Overall a fun hike that allows for some elevation gain without the need for a pass like nearby Tiger Mountain.