Red Town Trail

Overview: 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 existed in the late 1800's. The houses were mainly red, hence the name, and served as a railroad depot where coal was carted from the nearby mines to Lake Washington. Other than the houses there was a large hotel in the town which you can still see the boiler rooms foundation.

The trail is fairly easy to navigate, it is wide and other than a few bends in the road is fairly straight and level. There is some elevation gain to the trail as you leave the parking lot but it shouldn't be an issue as I have seen off road baby strollers being used on the trail numerous times. The only thing I would suggest looking out for are the larger rocks where you can roll your ankle. As you walk up the trail you will be surrounded on both sides by large Douglas Firs. On the first half of the trail you will encounter many people, especially on sunny days, as the trail is the main route to many of the parks waterfalls. If you stay on the trail you will begin to see fewer people but that's not to say that there is nothing to see. If you are hiking in the Spring or Summer you can view some amazing wild flowers towards the end of the trail. After a few twists and turns you will come to a horse watering hole (this is closed in the winter due to freezing). To the right you will see a sign for the meadow restoration project. Following the path, you will shortly come to a gated area and a bench to rest your feet. There are several informational signs in the area that describe the local flora in the meadow. Now that you know what you are looking at enter one of the two gates and explore the short loop of wild flowers. Once done you can return to the trail from the route you took or cross a bridge just North of the meadow which will connect you to the Indian Trail.

This is the most frequently used trails on the west side of the park because of how many trails it connects to. Most people hike the Red Town Trail to access the Coal Creek Falls Trail where they can view the popular Coal Creek Falls.

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.

This trail is one of the first trails you will come across when leaving the parking area. Follow the sign heading South on Red Town Trail. At the end of the trail there is a quick detour where you can see the restoration effort of the meadow lands of Cougar Mountain.

Connecting Trails:

-Cave Hole Trail
-Bagley Seam Trail
-Rainbow Town Trail
-Indian 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.
-At the end of the Red Town Trail there is a water source
for animals, it is located to theleft of the meadow
restoration project.
-The nearest restrooms are located at the Red Town
Trailhead just to the left of the information kiosk.