Cougar Mountain and the Sun

Once upon a time in Seattle, the sun came out.  Seems kind of “fairy-tale-ish” right now, but I have pictures to prove it.  Even though there were only four of us at home for the weekend, we decided to go exploring and find a new trail to hike.

Cougar Mountain is a hefty stone’s throw from the Seattle Temple, and on an early Saturday morning when the rest of Seattle would hopefully be sleeping, it would only be a 30-minute drive from home.

We wound up the side of Cougar Mountain until we had a beautiful view of the Cascade Mountain Range to the west, and finally found signs leading to the Sky Country Trailhead.  Unfortunately, we were not the only ones awake on Cougar Mountain. 

We just happened to hit the jack pot. 

Great -- possibilities of ending up as road kill on a not so isolated mountain road . . .

There were so many trails you could take all over the mountain that it required a map and the smarts to be able to read it.   I stuck with the camera—which, in a pinch, could also be used as a weapon should we happen to meet any of the wild animals who call this place home.

With as many runners as there must have been on the mountain that morning, they were confined to just a certain trail, so we actually only had to hug the right side of the road for a short stretch of time when incoming traffic behind us became pretty constant.

The trail we chose had the benefit of leading past Coal Creek Falls and away from the runners.

 

 

Jim has decided that the falls MUST be conquered.  No matter that every rock  in sight is covered in moss making the way up the slippery side of the mountain treacherous at best.

He and Marci are partway up and talk Jamie into joining them at least that far.

 

 

Now he’s looking for the best way clear to the top of the falls.  Maybe he’s also considering if his life insurance policy is up-to-date, and how I will provide for the family if he doesn’t happen to make it back.

Misery loves company and Marci followed him clear to the top. 

I’m not sure if I was more excited about seeing the berries, the sun on the leaves, or just something back on solid ground.

 

It was a beautiful hike, a great work out, and a marvelous view of Mt. Rainier from the Food Court at Southcenter Mall where we stopped on the way home for lunch.  We all gave the hike 8 thumbs up and decided we would do it again—only next time with the rest of the family.