Cougar Mountain - Shy Bear Hike

Date of Hike: June 2008

Hike Route: Wilderness Creek Trail > Shy Bear Trail (to Deceiver Trail) > return back

Ok, in truth I was meaning to do a hike to Coal Creek Falls, but I was fairly deep in thought and miss a turn so I wound up doing this hike instead. This Book has a good hike description on page 24.



The hike doesnt offer any views, but is follows Wilderness Creek and Shy Bear Marsh through the Top area of Cougar Mountain. Its a great shady hike on hotter summer days. The trails on this mountain are in great shape and have been cleared of the spring growth along the trails.

The hike starts at the Wilderness Creek Trailhead located off SR 900 between Issaquah and Renton. Free parking and no access fees for this county park.


As mentioned in other hike reports for this area, the first 1.5 miles are very enjoyable -- but there are some fairly non-stop uphill parts of this hike. Be sure to enjoy the creek crossings (well maintained bridges) and the Boulders along the way.


Near the end of the Wilderness Creek Trail, there is a short but steep uphill hairpin.


After reaching the top, there is a four-way intersection of the Wilderness Creek Trail, Deceiver Trail, Shy Bear Trail and the Wilderness Peak Trail. For this hike continue on the Shy Bear Trail which narrows a bit for hikers only.


The trail conditions are great this time of year as the are 99.9% dry, but not dusty. The trails sides have also been cut back of weeds -- making for a very enjoyable hiking experience.


The Shy Bear Trail meets with the Fred's Railroad trail, but continue on the Shy Bear trail toward the Far Country Lookout.


Soon you will reach the Shy Bear Marsh area. The area is very flat and has wooden walkways over the wetland area. This time of year, there is not much water in the area -- but its still "marshy". Check out how it looks in winter.

Along the way, I noticed some Salmon Berries on the trail.


After passing the salmon berries, you will reach the Deceiver Trail. At this point you can return the way you came or you can take the Deceiver Trail back (passing Doughty Falls).

This is a great basic Cougar Mountain hike that goes from bottom of the mountain, to the top, to the central marsh area. All the creeks are still running and the trees are full of green foliage.

Location:

View Larger Map

Basics:
Area - Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (Near Issaquah, Washington)
Trails - Trail Map (very good), also trails located on Green Trails Map 203S
Length -5 miles out and back - Easy Hike (moderate uphill on first 1.5 miles)
Trail - Well maintained dirt trail, limited stops along the way. Elevation gain is about 1000 feet. Start point is 395ft, high point is about 1300 feet with a slight decline of 200 feet once reaching Shy Bear Pass
Bikes - Not allowed on this hike
View - None -- but lots of shade on a hot summer day
Getting There - Google Map
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Cool in the mornings
Other Trails - tons! Including these hikes: Far Country Lookout, Wilderness Cliffs

Cougar Mountain- Wilderness Cliffs Trail

Date of Hike: May 2008

Hike Route: Wilderness Creek Trail > Wilderness Cliffs Trail > Wilderness Peak Trail > rejoin Wilderness Creek Trail back toward the trailhead parking lot

I did this hike fairly early in the morning since Seattle is having very hot weather right now. The hike is basically a lollipop route with using the three Wilderness trails. My favorite route is to travel counter clockwise -up- the Wilderness Cliff trail.

The hike starts on the Wilderness Creek Trail from the Wilderness Creek Trailhead (elev. 395 ft) off of the SR900 (the Renton-Issaquah Road). There is a parking lot for about 12 cars, there is also an alternate trailhead located here.

The wilderness creek trail is a great "northwest" hike with lots of running creeks, greenery and small spring time flowers -- and the occasional point of interest along the way.


The trail is fairly wide, but mostly single file -- its well travelled and very well maintained. This one trail serves most of the Cougar Mountain trail system from the south -- so its popular on the weekends. The first part of this hike is pretty much all uphill, with several switchbacks.

Upon reaching the first intersection, make a RIGHT toward Sqauk Mtn Connector trail.

After about 0.1 mile, there is a LEFT turn up on to the Wildnerness Cliffs trail. The trail was about 98% dry, with some muddy areas -- but nothing too wet. The Slugs were out in force on the day I did the hike.


This trail is fairly un-used as its a bit off to the side of most of the other trails. The trail is a bit more narrow and more "remote" than others on the Mountain.

There are a couple viewpoints along the way as you start to reach Wilderness Peak. The views are very filtered through evergreen trees.

As you reach the top of Wilderness Peak, you enter a very nice area with lots of birds and critters running around. There is also a very short trail leading to the top of Wilderness Peak (elevation 1,595 feet). However, there is no real view from here. The Cliffs trail technically ends here and the Wilderness Peak Trail starts.

The Peak trail then continues downhill back toward Wilderness Creek Trail. Its much more enjoyable to travel down this side of the trail, otherwise it would be a fairly steep constant uphill trip.

Rejoin the popular Wilderness Creek Trail (elev. 1380 ft) and head back to the trailhead. There are other routes within Cougar Mountain from this point -- including hikes to Far Country Lookout and one of the Mine Shafts in the area.

The trail back crosses several bridges and marsh walkways. All are well maintained and in great shape for the summer.

Another great hike on Cougar Mountain. It took me a little under two hours to do the route. I saw a few groups of fellow hikers along the way -- however, Wilderness Cliff and Peak trails are fairly remote and less traveled.

All trails are 98% dry at this point, lots of small wildflowers are out in bloom. This is a great Spring and Summer hike for most folks.


Location:

View Larger Map

Basics:
Area - Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (Near Issaquah,Washington)
Trails - Trail Map (very good), also trails located on Green Trails Map 203S
Length - 3.6 miles out and back - Easy Hike (moderate uphill on first 1.5 miles)
Trail - Loop, dirt trail, limited stops along the way. Well marked and maintained. Elevation gain is about 1200 feet.
Bikes - Not allowed on this hike
View - View filtered views through the trees at viewpoints
Getting There - Google Map
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Cool in the mornings
Other Trails - tons! Including this hike: Far Country Lookout

Cougar Mountain - Wilderness Creek to Far Country Lookout

Date of Hike: January 2008

Hike Route: Wilderness Creek Trailhead > Long View Peak Trail > Deceiver Trail > Shy Bear Trail > Far Country Lookout loop > Shy Bear Trail > Wilderness Creek Trail

This hike is similar to other Cougar Mountain hikes, semi-steep start with gentle trails once you reach the top of the park. Winter is a great time to do this hike, since the views are better and spots of snow and ice make for an interesting hike. There is still plenty of "green" on this hike, thanks to moss, ferns and evergreen trees. It also seems like more wildlife is out and about -- maybe they are just more visible since there was less tree cover to hide within.



The Wilderness Creek Trailhead is off SR900 between Renton and Issaquah. There is parking for about 10 cars. The hike starts off going uphill for almost all of the 1.5 mile length of this trail. Along the way are some well-constructed log bridges and walkways.

At the end of Wilderness Creek Trail, there is a right turn onto the Long View Peak trail which has a log walkway above the marsh area.


Long View Peak offers a small lookout spot. It looks out onto Renton and the Southcenter area. You can also see planes landing at Sea-Tac airport in the distance.


Doughty Falls is also close by and nice diversion if there has been recent rains. Its not a true waterfall, but its a nice break on the way. The trail was semi-covered by ferns but its easy to find and you cant miss the "falls"



Unlike the summer months, the sun shines through very brightly on to most of the trails including the Deceiver and Shy Bear trails.


After about 4 miles, you reach the Far Country Lookout trail.

After a short walk, you will reach a small bench on the Far Country Trail where you can view the "lookout".

I didnt want to spoil the view, but if you really want to see it you can view it here


On the way back, I took the full Shy Bear trail back to the Wilderness Creek Trail. Its a little less Up and Down and also has some very cool log walks above the year-round Shy Bear Marsh.

A nice long hike with a couple things to see on a very well maintained trail system.

More Photos


Location:

View Larger Map

Basics:
Area - Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park (Near Issaquah,Washington)
Trails - (Trail Map)
Length - 8 miles out and back - Easy Hike (moderate uphill on first 1.5 miles)
Trail - Loop, dirt trail, limited stops along the way. Well marked and maintained.
Bikes - Not allowed on this hike
View - Just two -- and only on a clear winter day
Getting There - Google Map
Fee- None, free parking
Weather - Cold in the mornings with some ice and snow during the winter.
Other Trails - tons! Including this hike: Cougar Mtn - SR900 to Mine Shaft