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.

Wanted a taste of snow in the 'Alps' so headed for the backside of Cougar and the always enjoyable Wilderness Cliffs / Creek semiloop. Small amounts of snow at bottom, perhaps 6"" on top, the trail usually stomped all the way down to the mud. Very pretty with salal and misc underbrush all flocked w some very wet sticky snow. Sometime during this hike apparently the lowlands got a lot more snow than we saw falling, although was hard to tell what was sky snow and what was being flushed from the tall trees by the wind. Mixture of dark mud and white snow made for kind of a 'mudd pie' appearance to trail, easier (and more fun) to go through mudd than around into the snow almost all the time. Top of Pk was windy and only there was the mudd unthawed. On the return down Wilderness Ck, the part of trail w the boulders and planks is pretty flooded, best tactic is to again stomp through the middle of trail/creek combo in almost foot deep water. Better tactic, that is, than trying to go round side and grasping at the underbrush for balance, since the underbrush happens to be the Devil's Club (horribulum!)

The weather was questionable. I was in more of a thinking mood than a 'sweat your butt off' mood so I chose this low-land stroll close to home. Cougar mountain suprised me with its beauty. I parked at the Wilderness Creek trail and decided to make the 3 mile creek/cliffs/peak loop. The rain came down pretty steadily most of the way, but with my umbrella open this hike was one of the most enjoyable I've had in weeks. Life flows out of Cougar mtn. in every direction in every possible way. I particularly enjoyed the little improvised bridges and one tree on a hillside whose roots wrap around a huge dead stump behind it as if to hold on to keep from tumbling down the hill. What a lovely walk so close to home. Do this one in the rain if you can. There are no views to be had, but the life-drenched scenery is breathtaking.

Ah, Spring! Trilliums and other forest blooms, mudholes and the occasional blow-down. Cougar seemed deserted on this day of unstable spring weather. All day, huge clouds were piling up threatening showers, the air was crisp and fresh and tiny ice pellets teased. No rain, practically no people in an area right next to Newcastle and Issaquah. The two of us climbed the Wilderness Creek trail from its trailhead off Hwy 900 (south of Issaquah)climbing about 800 ft to its junction with the Deceiver Ridge and Wilderness Peak trails. We were headed towards Anti-Aircraft today. We followed Shy Bear Trail for a way and then Fred's Railroad. Once on top of Cougar the way is just slight ups and downs, easy walking, although it was very muddy in places. We found the Claypit Road, crossed it and next followed Klondike Swamp, Lost Beagle, Tibbett's Marsh and Shangri La trails to AA Peak. There were only about six cars in the parking lot. Lunch was served at a picnic table overlooking Lake Sammamish and the Issaquah Plateau. The air was really chilly and a breeze was frisking up the northern face of Cougar so we didn't linger long. Going back, we hiked Tibbett's Marsh Trail to the Claypit and then Mine Shaft (a great dark hole!) and Loop Trails back to Fred's RR. Then we took Wilderness Peak and Cliffs Trails back to the car. Spring blossums noted: Trilliums, wood's violet, red currant, daffodil (planted), Indian plum, coltsfoot, skunk cabbage, red huckleberry, salmonberry and Oregon Grape. The ferns are unfolding their fiddleheads and the nettles are standing about 12"" high. We also heard at least one bumblebee out on spring maneuvers, as well as numerous songbirds. Stats: 9.6 miles, 1500 ft+ gain.

What can I say' I am a sucker for this trail. Needed to get out of the city after work and decided on Cougar. Parked at the Wilderness Creek trailhead and headed up with a 35lb pack ( Be Prepared! ). Hit the long view lookout ( 2 mi. from car ), in an hour. Cooked up some chow ( Be Prepared! ) and headed back down to the car. The trail is a nice trip for those with only a few hours to spare in the summer. Its hard to believe not more people come to this trail. Only one blow down, which is in the initial set of switchbacks from the trailhead.