Wilderness Cliffs Trail

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: This trail can be accessed from two different routes. The quickest route is to hike up the Squak Mountain Connector Trail from the base of the mountain and continue up onto this trail. This is also the most direct route to reach the peak.

The hike up to the peak on this section of the trail can be difficult when compared to other trails located within the park. To aid in your ascent of Wilderness peak, you will find many switchbacks. Luckily most of the trail is shaded by the thick canopy of trees, making the trail a little cooler. Overall this trail will provide a small you with a small challenge. It is a good warm up hike early in the season before taking on those longer and steeper hikes.

Tips: How to get here:

From I-90, take exit 15 and head south on Highway 900 for 3.3 miles. The trailhead marker will be on your right, see guide photo, there will be an asphalt driveway leading uphill and to the right. The parking area will hold about 15 cars but rarely is full. There is an additional parking area 100 meters east, it is a small dirt pullout that can fit 2-3 cars and gives you direct access to the trail.

Connecting Trails:

Wilderness Peak Trail
Wilderness Creek Trail
Squak Mountain Connector Trail

Park Hours:

8:00AM - Dusk open year around

Amenities:
-a single portable restroom is located at the paved parking area.
-no water sources are available.
-supplies can be picked up in Issaquah off of I-90.

Points of Interest

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Last Leg up to Summit

This is the last section of the trail until you reach the trailhead marker for the Wilderness Peak Trail. From the trailhead marker you will be 100 yards from the summit of Wilderness Peak.

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Break in the Foliage

This spot offers a rare glimpse through the forest canopy. Most of the trail is covered in thick old growth forest. This is a spot to rest and if it’s a cold day, to warm up the suns rays. On a clear day you can see part of Squak Mountain in the distance.

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Fork in the Trail

From here you have 3 routes you can take; the Wilderness Cliffs trail, Wilderness Creek Trail, and the Squak Mountain Connector Trail. The Wilderness Cliffs trail is the most direct route up to the peak. Taking the Wilderness Creek Trail will also lead up towards the peak but will also give you many other options to continue your trek through Cougar Mountain Park.

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Wilderness Creek Trailhead

This is the connecting trailhead to the Wilderness Creek Trail. If you follow it up it will also lead you to the peak of the mountain via the Wilderness Peak Trail. This route is slightly longer than taking the Wilderness Creek Trail but does connect too many other trails within the park.

You can also take the Wilderness Creek Trail up the mountain and then follow the Wilderness Cliffs Trail down to form a loop if you do not wish to hike back down the same trail.