This is a nice, lesser known access to the southwest corner of Cougar Mountain Park. The trail starts off of the Thomas Rouse Road just north of The Highlands of Newcastle development. The Terrace Tr is the crown jewel of the Newcastle City Tr system. It was built to high standards in 2008 by volunteers to replace an old trashed horse path that was nearby. The forest is a very nice mix of mature conifers, maples and a few Madrone. There are also some interesting glacial erratic boulders along the way that are covered with ferns. The south facing exposure makes the forest bright even on a cloudy late fall day. The trail eventually skirts by fences of large homes in China Creek and soon enters the deep wilds of Cougar Mtn Park. I did a loop up to Marshall's Hill on the De Leo Wall Trail and then returned on an unmarked path that runs down hill from the De Leo Wall view point. This well constructed bootleg trail was previously unknown to me. This trail as well as the De Leo Wall view point are on private property but the owners don't appear to mind trespassers. I completed the loop by circumnavigating the Highlands development on the dedicated greenbelt trails. RT 3.5 mi with 700 ft elevation gain (short enough to make it home in time to watch the Seahawks spank the Vikings). Much longer loops can be devised with the help of the attached Cougar Mtn trail map.

This relatively new trail on Cougar Mountain starts at the Highland of Newcastle development on the southwest corner of the park. It was apparently built in 2007. Even though this trail is just a few minutes from my house, I had no idea that it existed. The last time I hike here (15 years ago) the path was a nasty eroded horse trail. Now it is a beautifully constructed and nicely maintained trail that traverses the steep slopes of De Leo Wall. The trail starts at the end of SE 87th PL at a gate that prevents traffic from entering the Thomas Rouse Rd (144th). The trail apparently was constructed by IATC trail "artists". The forest is mature 100 year old virgin forest that grew up after a fire in 1912. It is a beautiful mix of Doug Fir, Cedar, Maple and Madrona. The forest has a nice open feel and a bright southern exposure. After switchbacking up at a pleasant grade for about 1 mi, the trail traversed very close to the backyards of a few large homes at the Terrace development. Years ago the trail was blocked here by a nasty home owner because it crossed onto his property for a few feet. A difficult reroute on the steep slope have now put the trail entirely on public property. Soon the trial enters Cougar Mountain park. An unmarked more crude trail takes off to the right and traverses the steep slopes of De Leo Wall with 3 nice viewpoints to the south. This part of the hike is actually on private land but it is far too steep to ever be developed. I chose to take the less steep official trail to the east from De Leo. There is also a much steep option that goes north. The return route was on top of the ridge. 2.6 mi and 600 feet elevation.

Newcastle's Terrace Trail is a hidden gem tucked into the southwest slope of Cougar Mountain. Starting at historic Rouse Road, it climbs a wooded slope dotted with fern covered boulders. At the top of the ridge, you reach a junction where have the option of following the Cross Town trail into Cougar Mountain Park. The Terrace Trail was well-crafted by volunteers from the Issaquah Alps and Newcastle Trails clubs, and is in great shape. From the junction at the top of the Terrace Trail, we attempted to follow the old trail heading west along the ridge toward Lake Boren. The city of Newcastle plans to turn this into another segment of the Cross Town Trail, but currently the path is getting little maintenance, probably by local homeowners. In fact we lost the trail completely in an area of blowdown, and had to continue our walk on the paved streets of the China Creek development. The lower section of this trail appears to be completely gone. Finding the start of the Terrace Trail is challenging. Drive south on Coal Ck. Parkway past Lake Boren Park, then turn left on 135th Ave SE at the light. Turn left onto 136th. Drive past a school, then turn left onto 144 Pl. (historic Rouse Road). Drive this woodsy lane about a half mile, then look for the trail on the left, across from a fire access gate to the Highlands development.