De Leo Wall Trail

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Puget Sound

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: 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. Both trails will take you to the De Leo viewpoint as the two trails form a loop.

Follow the GPS route closely as there are many unofficial side trails. All of the side trails will lead you out of the Cougar Mountain Park, there will be blue signs indicating that you are leaving the park. The only trail that does not have a trail marker is for the Cross Town Trail, part of the Newcastle city park system, which will have its own wooden trail marker.

Tips: How to get here:

From I-90 East take Exit 13 and make a right at the stop sign. Continue to follow Lakemont Blvd SE and the Red Town Trailhead parking lot will be on the left, about 3 miles away. The parking area holds 25-30 cars and has additional parking is to the left of the entrance.

The quickest way to get to this trailhead is from the Red Town parking area. From the parking area you will see an information kiosk and a dirt path. There are three options at the fork in the trailhead. Follow the trail marker and head down to the Wildside Trail.

Connecting Trails:

-Indian Trail
-Wildside Trail
-Marshall's Hill Trail

Park Hours:

The park is open year around from 8:00AM to Dusk

Amenities:

-There is no drinkable water located on the trail. Water
should be brought with you.
-There is a water source for horses and pets located on
the Red Town Trail, a short distance to the East of this
trail.
-The nearest restrooms are located at the Red Town
Trailhead just to left of information booth.

Points of Interest

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Start to De Leo Wall Trail

Standing on a paved road is where the De Leo Wall Trail begins. If you just hiked the Marshall's Hill Trail to get here, the trailhead is a short walk up the paved road from the trail.

The De Leo Trail provides a bit more of a challenge than the other western trails in Cougar Mountain Park. You will climb 250 feet in a short distance as you cross Marshall's Hill and the decent is even steeper. I wouldn’t consider this trail difficult but you may work up a sweat.

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De Leo Wall Split

After making the initial ascent of Marshall's Hill you will come to a fork in the trail. While both trails will get you to the same destination, one is easier than the other.

Taking the trail to the right is the quickest route to the De Leo Wall viewpoint. It is also the steepest route. Use caution if it has been raining, the trail is steep and offers little to no handholds. The use of hiking poles or a walking stick will be useful.

The trail to the left will take you on a wider path down Marshall's Hill. There are many more switchbacks to ease your descent down the Hill. Once at the fork in the road, make a U-turn to your right to visit the De Leo Wall viewpoint.

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A View A Top The Tree Line

On the inside track of the trail you will have a nice vantage point looking down into the forest. Making your way down the switchbacks gives you a unique look from above the forest floor.

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City of Renton

From the viewpoints, marked 4 and 5, you can see the city of Renton below. On a clear day you will also be able to see Mt. Rainier to the south.

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De Leo Wall View

There will be a fork in the trail once you reach the viewpoint area of the trail. Both routes will be connected at the base of the trail and they are only feet apart. There are also a few viewpoints that have been created over the years but some are difficult to reach as they are not maintained by the park service. If you take the trail to the right you can walk along the Marshall Hill wall to get an unobstructed view, use caution as there is no trail and it is a long way down the hill.

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Forest

Throughout the year you will find yourself surrounded by evergreen trees. On the trail you can see Douglas Fir as well as Hemlock trees. In the fall and winter months you will walk through piles of giant maple leafs along the trail.

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Fungi

There are many shaded sections on the trail. Bring a field guide to help identify the fungi and lichens that you will encounter on the trail. There is also a free Washington field guide that can be downloaded from:

www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/fieldguide/

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Split in the De Leo Wall Trail

If you started the trail from Marshall's Hill Trail, this is where the trails loop will merge. Continue straight to hike towards the end of the trail. Otherwise make a u-turn and head to your right to hike over to the overlook area.

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Looking Up

One of the many tall trees that you will encounter along the trail.

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End of De Leo Wall Trail

At the end of the trail you will come to a junction with the Indian Trail. If you still have time, I would suggest making a right at the fork to follow the Indian Trail. A short distance away you should begin to hear the sound of rushing water. You are very close to the Far County Falls. There is no sign for the falls but the trail access will be on the right, it is the only offshoot on the trail that is not labeled with a wooden sign. If you see a sign for the Far County Falls you have gone too far.