What began in 1990 with my earliest hikes in Cougar Mountain when it was wild, to 2012 when I moved to the Golf Course at Newcastle on the 6th fairway of the China Creek course, to 2015 when I started recording and tracking my hikes, to 2024, I embarked on my final hike to complete all the trails on Cougar Mountain from the Licorice Fern trailhead.
The Licorice Fern trail is a lovely walk along a wooded, verdant ravine that winds its way to the upper part of a ridge for about a mile. This was an enjoyable walk as the scenery was more than simple forested trails, like much of Cougar Mountain. I would rate this section in my top five for pleasant scenery.
In my quest to complete all the trails on Cougar Mountain, I logged 166 hikes, 95,000 feet of ascent, more than three times the elevation of Mount Everest, and 458 miles. This accounts for many repeated hikes and runs over the years. It dates back to 2015, when I started recording my hikes with my Garmin. I have probably gone through 4 watchs during this period and plan an upgrade again in the coming months. In all I think I have over 200 hikes on this mountain.
I cruised through the Fern Licorice trail, crossed a residential area, and entered Cougar Mountain Park proper. I entered familiar territory via the Indian and Far Country trails, which I have probably crossed 50 times. I made my way to the De Leo Wall Trail, which skirts a 200-foot cliff on the Western edge of the park before entering the park’s residential boundaries.
I pushed ahead steadily and soon found the familiar De Leo Wall Trail. There is a spot with good territorial views Southwest of Seatac airport and a peek-a-boo view of the southern end of Lake Washington. I texted Carter’s friend Mitch, who lives on the lake’s southern end, and informed him I could nearly make out his house.
I have always liked the De Leo Wall trail, as it has many Madrona trees similar to the ones at my house, which I grew up on the waterfront in Olympia. I always liked the trees’ peeling bark and smooth trunks.
I quickly made my way through the Madronas on the DeLeo Wall trail. About ten years ago, Carter and I stomped on a hornet nest, resulting in several stings on poor Carter. I recall us running and screaming as we were getting stung. I was pushing Carter from behind and slapping the hornets off his back. It’s not a fun memory.
I pushed onward and came into civilization, finding one of the many access points into the park from a nice development. I could see the Newcastle Golf Course in the distance—my old stomping grounds. Little did I realize that in 1990, I would someday live on this golf course, which was a dump back in the day! Talk about coming full circle in life.
I finally made my way to the end of the Cross Town trail, which skirts the boundary of the residential area and terminates near Lake Boren. I now had to climb back up the trail I had just descended and make my way back across the park. It was nearing 7 p.m., so I turned on the afterburners and made a fast pace to beat the sunset. Some final parting shots below.
I pushed through the final mile, retracing my steps back to the trailhead and my car. I am quite elated to have finally completed all the trails on Cougar Mountain. I am now finished with both Squak and Cougar Mountains. Tiger Mountain is next.
Congratulations my good friend Mark. This is a huge achievement. I have had the pleasure on achieving a few hikes with you and I’m looking forward to many more. You are a true pioneer of the PNW.