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 wanted to make a nice loop from home up Squak and Cougar that swung by Longview Peak as part of my self propelled summits project.

Made my way to the Bullitt Fireplace TH on Squak and climbed that trail until the intersection with the new trail which as far as I know, doesn't have a name yet.  It is a beautiful trail winding it's way up the mountain, absolutely delightful!   Thank you so much to all the volunteers who put in such hard work to make this a reality!

At the end of this trail, you come right out at Margaret's Way and so I descended this trail, another Squak favorite of mine.  No obstacles remain from the storms and there are just a couple of muddy sections.  Once I was down to the trailhead, I scampered across 900 to the Wilderness Peak/Creek TH and climbed up that trail.  Again, no obstacles.

Hopped on Deceiver, swung by Longview Peak to tag it then continued on to the junction with Shy Bear, where I hung a right and followed that to Fred's RailRoad Grade and then to Tibbets Marsh to Tibbets creek.  One blowdown on Tibbets Marsh to crawl over or under but that was the only obstacle.

Then coasted down Tibbets to Bear Ridge, to Shangri La to No Name and finally down Red Cedar. So many trails to choose from!  Again, all of these trails are in great shape.  Came out on Preston and made the finish on pavement to home.

A really fun loop that was about 16 miles.  I am including my Strava track below to help give an idea of the route as it involves so many trails.  Best news though, the bushes and trees are really starting to have leaves sprout. Spring is coming! 

I started this hike by walking a couple miles from my residence Renton and used the City of Newcastle’s trails to access cougar mountain park proper.  Since it was a workday few people on the trail, but to see someone on the Terrace Trail in Newcastle was a shock to say the least, as even on weekends that’s unusual so it’s good to see someone else using it.

I saw a lot of little bugs on the ground that I had to keep an eye out as to not squish them. Lots of leaves all around. Cave Hole Trail was fun, and getting close to anti aircraft peak was fun too.  A lot of short trails but there’s so many trails.  Bring a map, please, if you go.

eventually I exited big tree trailhead and went towards issaquah to catch my buses home. 

King county metro route 240 serves 91st ave se to access terrace trail (use some residential streets). Any bus serving issaquah TC (including Trailhead direct cougar mountain and trailhead direct issaquah alps) serves issaquah TC Which gives you access to big tree trailhead. Something to think about when trailhead direct goes away. 

Trails E15-E12-E2-E13-E15 In Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
Cougar Mountain Trails Map

Quick workout hike up from the trailhead on Newport Way to the Shangri La Trail then looping back down. (Personal best of 72 minutes round trip.)

Only two other cars at the trailhead. Saw about half a dozen other hikers. Trail was clear and relatively dry given the overnight rain. Lots of small birds and a few small critters.