Awesome trail run/hike today starting from Big Tree Ridge. I had to drop my car off for repairs in Issaquah and decided to take the scenic route home, turning right on Newport and then entering Cougar Mountain from Big Tree Ridge. There is no parking available at this entrance, currently. I spent a couple hours noodling around exploring some side trails I hadn't marked off on Gaia, running on the flat/downhill bits and hiking uphill. There are a couple trails that show on Gaia that seem to have been purposefully abandoned and allowed to disappear back into the forest. I hiked everything that had any sort of clear trail, and decided to leave well enough alone for the rest.. I wasn't in the mood for serious bushwhacking, and I'm sure nature isn't in the mood for me trampling it.

Sometimes it's nice to pack light.. I was only carrying water and my phone. Unfortunately, not bringing my camera almost guarantees I'll see something I wish I could photograph.. Today I saw two deer and an owl being harassed by hummingbirds and robins! I took a video with my phone, which I'll post the link to below. In case you didn't know, us Robins are feisty fellows. ;)

Really amazing morning out there.. I'm so grateful that I was able to move to Issaquah and be able to visit these beautiful forests whenever I want to. Forests reward patience and repeat visits. Always new details and things to see if you're willing to really look. :)

Some of you might have seen me mention my project of hiking all the trails in Issaquah in previous trip reports.. As of today I have finished Cougar & Squak, mostly finished Tiger (other than a couple bike only trails that I'll come back for when I get my biking skills up a bit!) and I'm about halfway done with Taylor and Grand Ridge. What should I do next winter?? I'm considering checking out all the Puget Sound/Island hikes.. 

Wanted to explore the NE side of Cougar Mountain and hike some trails we haven't been on yet. Seeing other trip reports that indicate the parking at the Big Tree Ridge Trailhead is no longer available, we opted to start at the Harvey Manning Trailhead. Arrived just after 1pm. The lot was mostly full but not completely, which was surprising given that it was such a beautiful day. There is a porta potty at the trailhead. Took in the Million Dollar Viewpoint, then headed off down Shangri La Trail. We then caught Tibbett's Marsh to W. Tibbett's Creek and Bear Ridge trails to check out the large erratic boulder. We then headed back to catch Big Tree Ridge Trail using No Name, Surprise Creek, and Precipice Top Trails. Only encountered 3-4 people in this part of the mountain. We hiked down Big Tree Ridge Trail for a bit and found a couple of benches off the main trail that had a peekaboo view of Lake Sammamish and had lunch. It was a great spot and had it all to ourselves. Headed down a bit further, but decided to turn around before we reached the trailhead. Caught Red Cedars Trail on the way back and arrived at the Harvey Manning Trailhead at around 4 pm. The lot was fuller and there were a few cars parked along the road. In all we encountered around 30 people, mostly on Shangri La and Bear Ridge trails. Mask usage was around 75%.

Started my hike from the Harvey Manning Park just north of the Talus condo development off Highway 900 in Issaquah. The small park has room for 7 cars, a restroom and a kids play area. The trail begins on the north side of the park, but there are no trail signs. There is a junction right at the start, so I went left up hill. The right trail heads down hill. The Military Ridge Trail goes through a mixed stand of trees on a 8-10% grade with a couple of switchbacks and creek crossings before getting to the first junction with the Precipice Top Trail. I went up it and while going under a power line I had a view north. This trail crosses a small stream on a bridge with a little waterfall. Once up to the Surprise Creek Trail, I took it, then cut up to the Shangri La Trail. I hiked it up to Anti Aircraft Peak. From the Million Dollar View I could see north to sunny Mt. Baker with Lake Sammamish down below. Other peaks in view included Pilchuck, Bald Mtn. Big Four and Vesper. I then headed through the grass area of Anti Aircraft Peak which was the site of the former US Army 90mm Skymaster anti aircraft guns from 1953 to 1957. From 1957 to 1967 they had a Nike Missile Defense System using Nike Ajax missiles. This was part of the defense of the Seattle and Puget Sound area from in coming Bear Bombers from the USSR.

I then Headed down the Lost Beagle Trail where I saw a decorated Charlie Brown Christmas tree. At the next junction I went left on the Klondike Swamp Trail to get to the Cougar Pass Trail. Before getting up to the pass (no snow yet) I went through a really muddy wet area where water is running down the trail. In all the years (over 20) that I have hiked the trails on Cougar Mtn. Park, King County Parks still has not done anything to fix this section of the Cougar Pass Trail. Guess they don't hike the trails during the Winter wet season to check them out for drainage problems.

When I got to the Tibbetts Marsh Trail, I took it back to the Shangri La Trail to finish the loop part of my hike. I then took the Surprise Creek Trail down to the Red Cedar Trail, then on to the Military Ridge Ridge Trail to get back to the Harvey Manning Park near Talus. 

There were some muddy wet areas on the various trails with a couple of trees blown down to step over. The Military Ridge Trail was the one with no mud holes and nice to hike. Only saw a few people on my hike, a couple of trail runners and dog walkers, plus a few other hikers. About half used masks when meeting. My hike was 6.8 miles round trip. George

Started at the Harvey Manning trailhead at about 10 a.m. There were 2 other cars in the lot. The portable toilet was in decent condition and stocked. 

Made a loop of sorts starting on the Shangri La trail and following the order above. Not sure of the mileage but it took about 2 1/2 hours. Trails were generally in good shape, decent amount of mud in places but passable in sneakers. Trails furthest from the trailhead were getting a bit overgrown with some stinging nettle so would recommend long pants. I didn't have any issues with bugs, other than finding a few spider webs with my face. 

Saw about 4 other small hiking groups, all but 1 masked up and waited while I did the same and stepped aside. Got passed by a pair of trail runners who didn't give me a chance to move or put on a mask. Otherwise, trails were largely empty and peaceful with everyone following the new norms. There were quite a few (20ish) cars at parking lot when I returned at 12:30.

One note for hikers with dogs - I love seeing them on the trails but I don't love carrying their bags of waste to the trailhead. Please take it with you and dispose of it responsibly!

I took the Trailhead Direct bus for the first time this morning and hiked on Cougar Mountain. I thought it would be nice to write something to encourage others to try it.

Last year someone posted a trip report mentioning that the Big Tree Ridge Trail is an easy walk from the Issaquah Transit Center, I made a mental note to do that sometime. And today was the day. 

I had to do some studying the night before of the routes, the schedules of the light rail as well as the Trailhead Direct buses there and back. I got to the Mt Baker light rail station and realized that I was not at the Mt Baker transit station. That was easy to fix.

Bay 2 where the bus stops is clearly marked with a green flag and the Trailhead Direct name. I was not very sure that the bus was on time or whether I'd missed it, so I unfolded my hiking seat and was ready to pull out a book to pass 30mins when the bus pulled in.

A mother and her 8year old son boarded the bus with me. This was the third bus of the morning and we were three on it.  The mother asked me for hiking suggestions along the route. If you are reading this, you probably already prepare in advance. The mother announced that she will just attach herself to me and follow wherever I went. I had to really think about that since the Big Tree Ridge trailhead does not have other options and it gets steep. In the end, when I got down at the Issaquah Transit Center they stayed on the bus. 

To get to the Big Tree Ridge trailhead, you have to go on SE Newport Way, but that is not marked! The sign says NW Newport Way. Anyway, turn right onto Newport Way, out of the transit center, leaving Tibbetts Park behind you, cross Rt 900 and walk northwest on SE Newport way for about a half mile. The trailhead is on your left. I am hoping for a portapotty there soon! I met a woman at the picnic table who came on the Capitol Hill Trailhead Direct bus, changing at Eastgate. She said that the first bus of the morning was nearly full, and after leaving downtown, there was standing room only.

I had planned to hike south-southwest through that quiet eastern section of Cougar Mountain and from Wilderness Peak to pick up the return bus at the Margaret's Way Trailhead. One of the happy things about hiking on your own, and not being tied to a car waiting for you is that you can change your mind and do something completely different, which is what I did. 

Even though Cougar Mountain is such tame hiking and so close to civilzation, the intricate trail system and the many intersections can be confusing. I never go without both the Green Trails map and the King County map. Today I also had my garmin gps, just for fun. So, when I came upon a significant unmarked trail heading southeast off Big Tree Ridge, I ventured upon it. This is the unnamed Precipice Bottom Trail. Taking it, I arrived at the Harvey Manning Park which I had never been to before. How lovely to sit down on a park bench for a drink and a mid morning snack. The view off to the east to Grand Ridge was beautiful, intense green and draped with grey clouds.

Up Military Ridge to Precipice Top trail. There is a well maintained trail just a few yards below. I am not sure what that is. From Precipice Top to Surprise Creek to No Name trail to Shangri-la trail to Protector trail. 

A few steps north on Tibbetts Marsh trail I found a perfect log for sitting and had lunch. It was very buggy there! And there I changed my mind about catching the bus at Margaret's Way. For as mild as the weather was, I was chilled and starting to feel tired, missing turns. I love the Bear Ridge trail, so I decided to reshape my outing. I went down Tibbett's Creek trail---gorgeous! To Bear Ridge---sublime! I was warmed up and making more careful decisions when I came to the mangled sign for Talus Bridge. I caught my mis-step and decided to keep on Bear Ridge down to Rt 900.

It was about 3/4 of a mile to walk north on Rt 900 to get back to the Issaquah Transit Center. Bay 5 is clearly marked with the green flag for the Trailhead Direct buses, and I grabbed the hardcopy schedules for the other routes from one of the other buses as I waited. When the Mt Baker bus came I was pleasantly surprised to be heading straight back into the city. I'm still getting used to this and expected to have to follow the loop through the other trailheads on Squak and Tiger Mts. There were about a dozen people on my bus into Mt Baker. Our driver was vigilant about the schedule, timing her stops to make sure she didn't mess folks up. I appreciated that since my bus out to Issaquah didn't seem to be on schedule.

Looking at the whole picture, if you're going by public transport, you have to factor that in as part of your energy and time output. Going to and from the Mt Baker transit center added about an hour to my travel. And walking back to the Issaquah transit center was not the nicest part of the day, but, it wasn't too bad. What was great was being able to whimsically explore and change my mind. Also great to do a through hike, which I will do next Saturday. 

Enjoy!