Headed out on this trail for my first solo hike. The trail was very well maintained and extremely well signed at all intersections. Felt very comfortable navigating it on my own.

I planned to do Wilderness Peak, combined with the Shy Bear Trail for a  loop, but the weather was nice and the trails were good, so I expanded on that plan to include three nearby waterfalls.  That was a challenge for my old knees, but ultimately a fine choice for a Friday afternoon.  

The Whittaker/Wilderness trailhead parking lot was pretty empty when I arrived about 9:00 in the morning...just two other cars.  There were about six when I returned about 3:30 in the afternoon.  Needless to say, I only encountered a few other hikers and several more trail runners all day.  I guess mid-week in December is one way to beat the crowds.  In general, all the trails I went on were in good conditions, with only a few small muddy areas.

Started out heading for Wilderness Peak, taking the Gombu Cliffs route to the top.  With the bare trees, the sun's rays were lighting  the ground and warming the air, so layers were soon removed.  The peak was empty when I arrived and I took a break on the nice bench, signing the notebook there at the summit.  Continuing from there in a counter-clockwise direction I took the Shy Bear trail for a bit before deciding to deviate from my planned route, breaking off to the right to pick up the Quarry Trail heading downhill.  This took me to Coal Creek Falls Trial down to the waterfall, which was flowing nicely.  Returning to the Quarry Trail I continued downhill, turning left onto Indian Trail. 

After a bit I found another side trail down to Far Country Falls where I stopped for lunch.  It's a pretty little cascade that you can get right up next to and be immersed in its soothing sights and sounds.  Returning to Indian Trial I continued to a junction and a trail to link back with Shy Bear Trail.  This was my route back up the hill.  I stopped at the Far Country viewpoint, but the view was mostly overgrown.  This section of the trail climbed to the ridgetop and then followed the ridge to where I turned onto Deceiver Trail which I followed to the Doughty Falls side trail. 

Now that I had gotten to see all three of the waterfalls, and with sun lowering towards the southwest, it was time to follow Deceiver Trail back towards Wilderness Peak where it connected to the Wilderness Creek Trail back to the parking lot.  I tried the side trail to Long View Peak, but that view is mostly overgrown, too...a common thing it seems. 

Returned to the car at about 3:30.  In the end, with this expanded loop I logged 9.7 miles and 2300 feet of gain.  

The trail was of a good steep grade that gave some good exercise. Sounds of the stream flowing by was pleasant. Overall a very well maintained King County trail and relatively low traffic trail. There were a couple people who had their dogs off leash which is annoying tbh. Dont expect a view at the top but soak the greenery on your way.

Perfect! The dry El Niño winter has let this trail dry out completely. No slippery mud, no wet feet. Cold, but steep enough that I was sweating within a couple minutes. The top is pretty anticlimactic.