Cougar Mt. Red Town Trailhead

Cougar Mountain: Coal Creek Falls

Cougar Mountain is considered the largest urban wildland park in the country and is full of trails and various start points to embark on. A mere 15 miles from downtown Seattle makes it an easy getaway and is especially a nice escape in the winter months.

On this February day, we decide to hike to the Coal Creek Falls and begin the journey at the Red Town trailhead. (Directions below). The title "coal" comes into play due to the area being host to coals mines many years ago. There are several warning signs in the area where there are dangers of cave-ins, but the numerous trails are safe themselves.

After parking at the Red Town trailhead, we proceed along the Red Town Trail, W-2, until shortly after climbing upward we stay right onto C-3, the Cave Hole Trail, named for its occasional sinks in the trail where mining occurred a little too close to the surface. It's a pleasant winding trail through the slopes of "Curious Valley". If we continue on the C-4 it would bring us to the Cave Holes...but we turn right on C-4, the Coal Creek Falls Trail.

These trails in February allow ample sunlight through, as the mix of bare maples and white, moss-covered bark of alder trees mix with the pines. The trail shortly takes us to the Coal Creek Valley and the falls a little more than a mile in.

Before crossing the bridge over the creek, we climb up alongside the falls on a steep path. It's muddy and the rocks are slick, but the roots along the way provide strong support to grasp our way up to the top. Once up there, we notice a few narrow, overgrown paths in different directions that seem to end as quickly as they begin. We head back down, which given the wet mud and rocks proves trickier than climbing up.

After crossing the little bridge that crosses the creek we switchback up the hill and come to the Quarry Trail, C-6. We turn right and keep right onto the W-7, Indian Trail just a short skip. We stay right again on the W-2, Red Town Trail, which leads us back to the parking area. The other option, which I have also taken, is turning left at that junction and taking the Wilderness Trail back. Check the map and pick your own route. It doesn't matter which you choose, Cougar Mountain is a great wintertime escape...yet easy and quick to get to if you live near the Seattle area.

Cougar Mountain: Quick Points

I-90, take exit 13 and go south on Lakemont Blvd. for 3 miles. (Lakemont becomes Newcastle-Coal Creek Road at some point). You'll climb about two miles after exiting the freeway. At two miles, you can stop for gas and snacks before reaching the trail another mile away. The Red Town Trailhead parking area is on the left side of the road.

It is likely to be a bit more crowded on weekends than it is during the week because it is so near the city. But even then, the crowds are nothing like you'll encounter when you're hiking the Tiger Mountain Wilderness.