This is a wonderful short conditioning hike/trail run close to town. Please note that some of the trails mentioned here will be destroyed if a large new development (Windward) on the Bergsma Property progresses. See www.savecougarmountain.org to help save this corner of Cougar Mountain for future generations to love!
The forest is very green right now. Beautiful with all the spring beauty (claytonia sibrica) blooming everywhere you look. I think this is one of the nicest parts of Cougar and this is a great time to visit! There are many connecting options once you enter Cougar Mountain Park (near the top of the ridge) so if you like a longer hike it is there for you. But, if you have a short time and want a good training hike without a long drive, this is a fabulous option.
Starting at the Big Tree Ridge TH (white gate on Newport Way) the steepest way is to head directly up the Big Tree Ridge trail. Just under 1/2 mile up, you'll see an unsigned trail on your left, it leads to Harvey Manning Park in the Talus neighborhood. After about 1 mile of nice tread (and 700+ gain!) through beautiful green forest and flowers you'll meet another junction. Turn left here on Military Road for a shorter hike, or right on the Red Cedars continuation for an extra 1/2+ mile and 200+ elevation gain. If you are done with the uphill, turn left here, meeting the Precipice Top trail in a few steps.
If you went for the extra gain, you'll continue switching back uphill, with some flatter respites until the Surprise Creek Trail 1/3 mile later. Turn left here, then travel a short distance and turn left on the Precipice Top Trail. You could continue straight downhill on a very rocky and rough Surprise Creek trail to the top of the Talus neighborhood instead of turning left here but it's not as pleasant a trip. Follow the Precipice Top trail for about 1/4 mile. Once at the Precipice/Military Road junction turn right to head downhill, meeting the other route.
At this point continue downhill on a narrowed old roadbed. The one stream crossing has no water right now. If you love Devil's Club, the trail passes a really nice stand of it!
You'll soon see Harvey Manning Park on your right. Here you have another choice! You can turn left on the unsigned Precipice Bottom Trail (the other end mentioned previously as your first junction 1/2 mile up the Surprise Creek Trail) and wander up and down through several stream ravines of very old forest on very pleasant trail back to Big Tree Ridge trail (where you can turn right and go back to your car)- this is about 3 miles and 1000 elevation gain total because there is a short uphill section before reaching the Big Tree Ridge trail. You can go straight downhill to a Y junction. Turn left here for the Skid Road trail. This is also another old roadbed interspersed with areas of trail where the old road bed is not pleasant, or has been marred by large vehicles investigating the potential Bergsma/Windward development that may destroy this trail. The trail itself is very pleasant, meandering above a stream in an area with lots of birds and small mammals. Towards the end there are two blowdowns to climb around but nothing too difficult. You end at a row of old mossy boulders about 100 yards east of your car at Big Tree Ridge. This loop is under 2.5 miles and about 850 elevation gain.
If you prefer a less steep uphill journey or don't have much time, I recommend simply going up and down the Skid Road trail. If you have smaller children, you could consider Harvey Manning Park your destination. The hike would be just 1/2 mile to the park and retains the loop option for descent via Precipice Bottom and Big Tree Ridge.
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