Arrived at the TH at 0800 with a few cars in the lot.  Although it had been raining the trail was in great shape with only a few muddy spots (no big issues), a few large puddles (no big issues), and very few people out and about. Our recent wind storms have taken down several trees, however, all have been cleared, leaving an easy route to hike. The trails are fairly well marked and with map in hand (paper or electronic) there are endless low elevation hikes that can be done in this area. Total mileage was between 6.5-7 and a gain of 1500-1700 feet, based on which app I used.

Returned to the parking lot about noon to find a few parking spots left and no car issues.

I always forget how pretty this trail is! The fog up top today made it feel otherworldly.

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My 6-year-old and I took this hike on a rainy Wednesday. He wrote the trip report below, and I typed it as he spoke:

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Today we hiked Wilderness Peak Loop. It took us exactly four hours to hike. 

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Weather conditions were very foggy at the top. Rain tended to go on and off. It was not freezing - it was cold, but not, like, very cold. 

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The trail had a lot of debris on it in some places - a lot of evergreen branches and twigs and lichen, and 1-2 downed trees on the trail. You might have to climb over the trees, but they were all pretty low to the ground. It was muddy at some points. 

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The animals that we saw were a Douglas squirrel, a raven, two varied thrushes, and some kinglets. There were some small Bigleaf maples that just had their seed leaves, and a we guess a whole bunch of catkins fell. And we saw a whole bunch of blood-spattered beard and some mushrooms. 

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How much people we passed were about 9.

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The only thing I (Mom) will add is that when we got back to our car, someone had tried to break our driver's side window. They didn't break it all the way, but there were glass shards on the seat and the window frame was scorched. There was hardly anyone around today (just one other car and a DNR truck in the lot when we arrived), so it's not too surprising. We had nothing in the car except some extra clothes, but it's a good reminder not to leave valuables. Thanks to the hikers who gave us a heads up on the trail and left a note!

Started the hike around 2:30 pm and finished around 5:10 pm. It was a nice hike, the uphill parts were fairly steep though in my opinion and would definitely reconsider going on this hike if going walking uphill is a problem. There was a waterfall/stream at the beginning of the hike that was relaxing and it has some nice scenery along the trail. There were at least two trees that had fallen down, and slipper mud spread throughout the trail. Would be careful around this time of year. I went with an Australian Shepherd puppy (1 year old) and it seemed like a good first hike for him to get him used to people and other dogs. There is some parts that when you come back from the trail that are a bit more dangerous than when you going the first time. Finished the hike once the sun was going down but there was still a fair amount of illumination from the sun. Overall, would highly recommend going on this hike if you are okay with going uphill and navigating around trees that fell down. Make sure to hike when it's sunny, it's beautiful!

Enjoyed a sunny and snowy hike up and around Wilderness Peak following all the cold temps and low-level snow we’ve received over the last few days.

From the parking lot, the snow is fairly sparse, but increases to about 5-6” near the top of Wilderness Peak. Luckily, the whole trail is nicely packed down and made traveling easy. Traction spikes didn’t seem necessary, but there are definitely some slick spots on the downhill sections. On that note, we hiked counter-clockwise and only saw 15 or so other hikers.

Did the 5 peaks working through the Issaquah Alps challenge. I went all over this mountain. Started at the Ballybunion TH and ended at the Cougar Mountain TH. Did as a point to point venture, including 3 side trips to see waterfalls.

These woods are beautiful. It was my first time at Cougar mountain and I got the full tour. I can say that these forests are quintessential PNW lowlands forests. I was alone most of the time, with the exceptions of Coal Creek Falls and Wilderness Peak.

Funny enough I preferred the Doughty Falls to CCF.

Of the 5 peaks I did(Marshall's Hill, Deceiver Ridge, Cougar Mountain, Wilderness Peak, Longview Peak) Wilderness Peak was the best, it actually has a nice little register at the top, and feels like a proper summit. The others are just high points on the trail. But I am a peakbagger, and a high point is a high point.

Of the trails I think the Wilderness peak loop was the best section, really liked the boardwalk bits through the wetlands.

Overall great trail system to explore, lots of options for any fitness level.