Coal Creek Natural Area

Trip

Day Hike - Coal Creek Trail

Explore the enchanted Coal Creek Valley, with lunch at a picnic table by the shore of Lake Washington in Newcastle Beach Park, returning by the same route, for a wilderness adventure close to home.

  • Easy
  • Easy
  • Mileage: 7.4 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 500 ft
  • High Point Elevation: 500 ft
  • Pace: 2.5

Meet at 9:30 AM in the far left corner of the Newcastle YMCA parking lot, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, Newcastle, WA  98059, behind the holding pond.  It is reached by taking Exit 10 from I-405 (Coal Creek Parkway), heading southeast on Col Creek Parway, turning left at SE 72nd Pl and left again at the Newcastle Golf Club Road.  The trailhead parking lot by the Newcastle YMCA will be on your left shortly after the road bends to the right.

This is an opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of the lower part of  the historic Coal Creek Valley.  Our trail is well maintained by the Bellevue Parks Department.  Our lunch at a picnic table in Newcastle Beach Park can be either in a wooded area by the lake or in a picnic shelter, depending on the weather.  Nice clean restrooms are available at both the trailhead and the lunch spot.  No parking pass is required at the trailhead parking lot. 

Route/Place

Coal Creek Natural Area


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

The Ten Essentials

  1. Navigation
  2. Sun protection
  3. Insulation (extra clothing)
  4. Illumination
  5. First aid supplies
  6. Fire
  7. Repair kit and tools, including knife
  8. Nutrition (extra food)
  9. Hydration (extra water)
  10. Emergency shelter
Trip Reports