Distance
8.5 miles roundtrip
Trail Guide
Cougar Mountain via Red Town and Wildside
8.5 mi roundtrip · 2,000 ft gain · Moderate · Cougar Mountain
Trail Stats
Elevation Gain
2,000 ft
Highest Point
1,595 ft
Trailhead Elevation
500 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Type
Loop
Features
Forested trail network
Coal mining history
Issaquah Alps training terrain
Technical Notes
A flexible route network with many junctions. Typical longer outing starts from Red Town and links Wildside, Shy Bear, and Indian Trail. Trails are often muddy in late fall through spring. No avalanche terrain for standard park loops.
Getting There
Trailhead
Red Town Trailhead
Red Town Trailhead, Newcastle, WA
Parking: ~60 spaces
From Seattle
15 mi · 28 min drive
I-90 East to Exit 10. Follow Coal Creek Parkway SE to the Red Town trailhead access near Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.
Planning Details
Avalanche Forecast
Check current avalanche conditions for the Cougar Mountain zone before your trip.
Ready to plan?
Get a full trip report with weather, gear, logistics, and an event draft.