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Cougar Mountain - Licorice Fern

Day Work Party

Tue Dec 9, 2025: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Issaquah Alps — Cougar Mountain

Crew Leader: Trudi Jackson

Sign marking closure dates. C.W. Schurman

Overview

Join us as we maintain the lovely Licorice Fern trail on Cougar Mountain! We have completed the improvements on the two lower sections of the trail and will now be working above the road on a reroute, building new trail and some trail structures, to complete our work on the corridor.

About the Area

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is the largest “urban wild land” in the United States, with more than 3,000 acres of forest riddled with 38 miles of hiking trails. The Licorice Fern Trail is a great choice for Cougar Mountain veterans looking for a fresh approach to Far Country Falls.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

Improvements to the Licorice Fern have been some of WTA's primary winter work with KCP the last two years. This year we are starting work on the last segment above the retention pond. Project will include new trail construction, box step construction, and bridge building as we work to complete the improvements on this well used trail.

Hiking Information

Expect 1-3 miles of round trip to the work site over steep and uneven terrain.

Schedule

  • 8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
  • 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
  • Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
  • Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
  • 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

Required:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
  • Long pants

Recommended:

  • Sturdy work or hiking boots
  • Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring

  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

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Partners

Directions

Licorice Fern Trailhead has limited roadside parking. Please park completely off the shoulder, past the fog line on the same side of the road as everyone else. Entering the Lat-Long coordinates in Google Maps as your destination will get you to the correct parking location.


From I-90:

  • Take exit 15 for WA-900 W/17th Ave NE
  • Head south on WA-900 W/17th Ave NE
  • Turn Right onto SE May Valley Road
  • Turn Left onto SE 112th St (0.4 miles)
  • SE 112th St turns slightly left and becomes 169th (0.7 miles)
  • Turn Right onto SE Licorice Way.
  • Continue 0.3 miles until you see concrete barriers and trail crossing signs on either side of the roadway. This is our trail entrance. Park on the same side of the road as everyone else (cars pointed downhill).


From i-405:

  • Take exit 5 for WA-900 E/Sunset Blvd NE
  • Turn Left onto 164th Ave SE
  • Turn Right onto SE May Valley Road
  • Turn Left onto SE 112th St (0.4 miles)
  • SE 112th St turns slightly left and becomes 169th (0.7 miles)
  • Turn Right onto SE Licorice Way.
  • Continue 0.3 miles until you see concrete barriers and trail crossing signs on either side of the roadway. This is our trail entrance. Park on the same side of the road as everyone else (cars pointed downhill).

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Required Documentation

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