Many thanks to user Notthosekennedys for the trip report from this morning; I had already decided this hike fit the bill based on the description in 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles by Andrew Weber & Bryce Stevens, so knowing the trail was in good shape sealed the deal.

We got to the trailhead around 5:45pm; there were four or five cars in the parking lot and two groups got back to the parking lot before we left.  We passed two other groups of two in the first 30 minutes of the hike but then had the place to ourselves for the rest of the trip.

We went up the Whitaker Wilderness Peak Trail and down the Gombu Wilderness Cliffs Trail, which is what 60 Hikes prescribes, but opposite of the hike description here.  I definitely preferred going down the Gombu than I think I would've liked going up, but that would definitely be a great training hike for anyone working on elevation!  Note that coming down Gombu, just before the trail junction with Whitaker, there is an unmarked junction.  Gaia shows a viewpoint to the left (as you're coming down Gombu); take the right to stay on the trail.

Parking lot to "summit" via Whitaker in 1 hr 20 minutes and back to the parking lot via Gombu in an hour.  Very little mud (barely enough to mention, but if it rains again I can see it getting worse) and very few bugs, even with our late hour.  Some flowers, mostly patches of Trillium here and there.  Like Notthosekennedys, we both got 5.2 miles on our trackers rather than the 4 miles listed here.

Note: while the portapotty was cleaned on 5/4, it was out of TP by the time we arrived at 5:45pm on 5/7.

We meet at the Whittaker / Wilderness trailhead at 9:00 AM for a great 7.5 mile loop hike on Cougar Mt.  It was overcast skies and in the low 50’s.  The toilet facility needed service.  Four parking spots were open when we started up the trail at 9:15.  We went up Wilderness Creek, Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail, left on Long View Peak trail, continued on Deceiver  trail with a stop at Doughty Falls, right on Shy Bear Trail and back on Whittaker Wilderness Peak then back down on Gombu Wilderness  Cliffs trail.  All the trails were in great well drained condition. Thanks to King County Parks and trail work volunteers for the new bridge over Wilderness Creek and trail widening and improved drainage in many areas. Many spring wildflowers were in full bloom - trillium, yellow violets, bleeding hearts, false Solomon seal, fringe cup, skunk cabbage, Oregon grape and large leaf avens.          We stopped for a lunch rest break at Shy Bear Pass and chatted with other trail users walking past. There were no wildlife sightings except a few bird species - wren, juncos and robins.  The skies tried to spit on us for a short period but our hike remained dry. Cars were parked across Hwy 900 on the shoulder when we arrived back at the trail head just after 2:00 PM.  Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.

Small numbers of wildflowers blooming, but they were there! Generally in good condition, there were some muddy spots here and there. The waterfalls were fairly full. 

Also worth noting, there's no real view from the peak. If you're looking for views, this isn't the trail for you.

Please note that the written directions for this hike are correct, but the GPS coordinates are not. On Google Maps, you can go a little to the east and click on "Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead" and follow the directions to that spot. Don't follow directions that send you up 185th Ave. The lot you want is about half a mile north/east on highway 900 (towards I-90) from the turn for 185th Ave, which will only take you to private houses and has no access into the park. 

The trail is well cared for and in good shape. I appreciate the nice reroute of the upper trail section of the Wilderness Crk trail. Steve Wilkinson and his crew along with WTA are to be commended for this. Had a mixed bag of weather this afternoon with sun rain sleet and Grapple.

4.3 miles, 1200 ft

Getting there & trialhead

First and foremost: do not rely on GPS. Read WTA instructions and follow them. GPS will bring you to a private driveway, and a “no trail access sign” hints owners are not very happy about someone being yet another lost hiker.

The trailhead parks 13 cars in stalls plus maybe a couple more outside them if you’re courteous enough. There is a portable toilet at the trailhead.

Hike

Hiked Whittaker trail up and Gombu trail down, clocking in 4 mi in 1.5 hrs. Surprisingly steep. Soft in places, but no real mud. No snow besides a couple sad trailside patches at the top. No real views, but a great workout - the trail system seems to be popular with mountain runners.