Issaquah Alps

Cougar Mtn Ramble, 1/30/10, 6 miles

When the snows aren't flying and the weather isn't raining, why not go for a hike with friends? And Cougar Mountain is a great place for a mid-winter hike with it's low elevation and criss-crossing trails. One could hike there all day and never see the same scenery more than once.

Our little gang of hardy hikers started out at the Red Town trail head and slowly made our way around old mining paraphernalia stopping to read about the mining history from the information kiosks set about along the trail and mining locations.

From there, we started up the hill to DeLeo Wall and a magnificent view of Mt Rainier. Well, on a less cloudy day, a hiker might be able to see Mt Rainier but today the clouds hung low so the view was minimized to the valley and the towns that are gobbling up the green.

From the wall, we meandered our way back down the hill following a different route to end up on the other side of the hill near a little stream and waterfall with mossy clumps. It was decided after one of our group commented that he likes mossy clumps that we'd eat lunch at the waterfall . . . and mossy clumps.

Our way back to the trail head took us along an old road past the Red Town townsite that is now being rehabilitated back to a woodland meadow. The way was wide enough for several of us to walk shoulder-to-shoulder telling stories and jokes and recited the occasional poem. What a great way to end a woodland ramble with friends.