Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
The Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park in Renton WA, is a fantastic place to take the family to enjoy the outdoors. There are many different trails and highpoints to choose from. You’ll glad you read this!
Location
The Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is located in Bellevue, Washington. It has over 3000 acres of wilderness and 35 miles of trails. This park is a great way to spend a day outdoors.
Hikers and trail runners can enjoy a variety of scenery and wildlife on the trails of the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. There are also several waterfalls and marshes to enjoy. You can find a map of the trails at all of the major trailheads.
One of the more popular hills is Long View Peak. Visitors can take a short, steep trail to the summit. Some views can be had from the hill.
There are also dozens of trails that wind through forests and caves. Many of the rocky areas are covered with moss and plants. Another attraction is the large glacier boulders that litter the mountain.
Trails
If you are looking for hiking trails near Renton, Washington, then Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a great option. The park is located 14 miles east of Seattle, WA, in the Issaquah Alps. It offers 36 miles of hiking trails, including 12 miles of horseback riding trails.
There are four main trailheads. They include the Town Trailhead, Red Town Trailhead, Harvey Manning Trailhead, and Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead.
While the park is accessible year-round, the best time for hiking is from June through September. These are the months when the weather is the best.
The main Cougar Mountain hiking trails wind through mature second-growth forests, streams, and caves. Several trails offer spectacular views of Puget Sound and Lake Sammamish.
A great loop hike is the Wilderness Peak trail. This 1.3-mile hike features a ridge that leads to a forested summit. You can enjoy a beautiful, narrow boardwalk along the way. This article is worth to read.
Highpoints
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is located between Bellevue and Issaquah, Washington. Its 36 miles of hiking and equestrian trails wind through wetlands, mature second growth forests, streams, and caves.
The highest point in the park is Wilderness Peak. This loop hike features a variety of forested hillsides and huge mossy boulders.
In addition to the Wilderness Peak Trail, there are several other scenic hikes in Cougar Mountain. One of the more popular is the Coal Creek Falls loop. A great place to start is at the Big Tree Ridge Trailhead, which is half a mile north of SR-900 on Renton-Issaquah Road SE.
A shorter and more accessible route into the mountain is the Klondike Swamp Trail, which follows an old woods road. From there, it crosses Shy Bear Marsh on boardwalks.
Coal Creek Falls Trail
If you are looking for a hike near Seattle that offers a scenic waterfall and a great spot to rest afterward, then the Coal Creek Falls Trail is for you. The trail is located within Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and offers an easy two-mile round-trip trek to the falls.
The trail is part of a maze of trails that provide visitors with a range of experiences. It offers a relatively flat walk through a dense forest, and the waterfall is a highlight. There is also historical interpretive signage to explain the history of mining in the area.
The Coal Creek Falls Trail is a good choice for families with children or beginners. This is a two-mile round-trip hike that is accessible from the Red Town Trailhead.
The falls are seasonal and run dry during mid June through the winter months. You can find a picnic table at the fall, and there are a few privies along the way.
Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail
The Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail is located in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. This 1.9 mile trail is a favorite among hikers. It offers a diversity of steep forested hillsides and huge mossy boulders.
The Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail begins along state Route 900. Once you have crossed the bridge over Wilderness Creek, follow the Whittaker Trail. At this point, you will be at an elevation of 395 feet.
In a short 0.5 mile, you will see the Whittaker Trail diverge. Follow this trail and it will take you to Shy Bear Pass. From there, you can head back to your starting point, or continue on to the summit.
On the way, you will pass an old-growth forest and a hanging valley. You will also cross a small stream. Before long, you will reach a ridge with views of the city of Seattle. Continue reading about Lake Sammamish State Park.
Driving directions from Lake View Pro Wash to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Driving directions from Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park to Lake Sammamish State Park
