Cougar Mountain
| Distance: | 3.6 miles | |
| Time: | 2 hours | |
| Elevation Gain: | 1,230ft | |
| Rating: |  |
Description:
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, at more than 3,000 acres the largest King County park, has a special appeal in winter when high-country trails are covered by snow.
It is jam-packed with habitats -- wetlands, meadows, forests -- and is steeped in mining history. Plus the park is only a half-hour from Seattle and offers more than 50 miles of trails.
Wilderness Peak Loop -- The trail begins from the parking area at an elevation of 365 feet. Wilderness Creek is crossed on a bridge and begins to climb in a series of switchbacks along the gorge to a "Y" after crossing the creek again.
Cliffs Trail goes to the right and reaches the summit of Wilderness Peak (1,595 feet). We turned left to the Boulders Trail near the creek, a cool respite on a hot day. The trail crosses the creek again and climbs to an unsigned split. Turn right (the left goes to Ring Road), pass Cougar Mountain Cave and cross a bog on a boardwalk. At 1 1/4 miles is Shy Bear Pass at 1,320 feet.
Wilderness Peak Loop, about three miles round-trip, elevation gain 1,230 feet.
Directions:
Wilderness Creek Trailhead
Take Exit 15 (Renton) on Interstate 90, turn right (south) onto SR 900, drive to the Newport Way stoplight and then 2.8 miles beyond to the trailhead parking on the right. There is room for about 15 cars.
