Guides
One of Seattle’s most beloved parks. This hike loops around Green Lake.
Geologists say the Vashon Glacial Ice Sheet, which also formed Puget Sound and other area lakes, formed Green Lake 50,000 years ago. Dredgings of Green Lake have produced volcanic ash from an eruption of Glacier Peak that occurred about 6,700 years ago. The lake was included in the Olmsted Brothers’ comprehensive parks plan, and was given to the...
A short hike through the woods while exploring the area's coal mining history.
This is an easy hike that will lead you through a historical coal mining region. While the towns are gone you will still be able to view some artifacts from the past. Along the way you will see a coal mine shaft and an information kiosk where you can learn more about its history. There are also a few railroad cart turntables but they are difficult to...
Nature hike with multiple Coal Creek crossings.
This trail is an excellent finish to the four trails of Coal Creek Park. This trail offers the best views of Coal Creek and offers more of a challenge. The hills are not terribly steep but there are many and opportunity to rest is few. Starting out from the parking lot on SE 60th you will descend into the forest on a set of wooden stairs. The trail...
Part of the Coal Creek Park trail system, this trail will take you along a creek with a few small waterfalls.
At only .8 miles the Primrose Trail seems like a quick detour, however, this trail offers some of the best sites to be seen. On this trail you will follow Coal Creek while making a few crossings of the creek via wooden bridges. Along the way you will also pass by Sand Stone Falls, one of Coal Creeks tributaries. The Primrose Trail is named after...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
This is one of my favorite trails to run on within the Cougar Mountain Park. It has a lot to offer in the form of scenery, access to other trails, and challenge. This trail can also be difficult to navigate if this is your first time hiking the trail. The first half of the trail seems to end with you having to walk 30 feet in either direction to locate...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
The official trail may only be .2 miles long but to get to this trail you will have to hike in using one of two different routes, via Red Town Trail or Wildside Trail. The total distance travelled round trip will be about 3/4 of a mile from the Red Town parking area. This trail is a nice part of the coal mining history that can be found at Cougar...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
The China Creek Trail starts at a service gate entrance to the right of the Cougar Mountain information booth. The trail is a short .3 mile trail on a wide, gravel, park service road. Once you get past the service gate you will begin walking South on the gravel road. The trail starts out fairly flat, on your left you will see a grass clearing. There...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
This short loop is another trail at Cougar Mountain where you can see some of the areas coal mining history. Along this trail you will come across the concrete pillars from the mines steam hoist. A steam hoist is basically a crane that used steam power to raise and lower objects into and out of the mine. The quickest way to get to this trail is...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
This is one of my favorite short hikes in the park. It is an easy stroll and round trip is only 1 mile long, depending on which route you take. On this trail you will see many artifacts from the mining days of the area and information on the mining activities. The best way to get to the Rainbow Town Trail is to hike in from the Wildside Trail. From...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
The De Leo Wall Trail can be one of the most scenic trails on the West side of Cougar Mountain. From the scenic overlook you can see the city of Renton to the South and on a clear day Mount Rainier. To get here you can take a few routes, the quickest route is to take Wildside Trail and then take either the De Leo Wall Trail or Marshall's Hill Trail....
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
Located far from the park entrance you will have this trail to yourself. Rarely have I seen other hikers on this remote trail but that doesn't mean that there is nothing to be seen. You can easily spot small animals on this trail due to the infrequent use. You will begin the trail by leaving either the Wildside or Red Town Trail. The trail starts...
Part of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
The Red Town Trail is one of the first trails you will come across when entering the park. From the information kiosk walk forward and keep left at the trailhead marker. The trail is very wide when compared to its connecting trails, but it is composed of a mixture of large and small rocks. The trail is named after a mining town by the same name that...
Trips
A late Sunday afternoon walk to identify trees
A gorgeous Spring Day in Seattle.Starring Michael, Micki, Andrew, and Cassie
J., A. and S. took a trip down to the water at St. Edwards park. We found a geocache while were were down there and some a flock of goldeneyes by the waters's edge. Not a lot of complaining on the way back up because I told a story.
Nature hike with multiple Coal Creek crossings.
A short hike through the woods while exploring the area's coal mining history.
Quick Test with New GPS and Camera
