Day Hike - Wilderness Peak Loop

Let's take advantage of the dry weather and enjoy this loop on Cougar Mountain - there are reports of blowdowns but generally not impassable. 

WTA Link (partial route)

Since the trailhead parking lot is tiny and break-ins are common, consider meeting at the Tibbetts Valley Park & Ride at 8:00 am, consolidate hikers into carpools and depart for the trailhead no later than 8:10. It’s a 3 mile drive so we plan to arrive at the TH at 8:15.   If you choose to drive straight to the TH meet us there at 8:15- Ready to HIKE. 

Directions to the Tibbetts Valley Park & Ride

https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/parking/east-king-county/tibbetts-valley-park-park-ride

Take exit 15 (WA-900 W/17^th Avenue NW) off I-90 eastbound. Take a right at the bottom of the ramp. Drive approximately ½ mile and turn left on Newport Way NW. Take the first right into the Tibbetts Valley Park & Ride. (Not the multilevel parking garage on your left.) Drive past the Skate park. We will meet part-way into the parking lot.

Directions to the trailhead

47.5102, -122.0872 Map & Directions

From I-90, take Exit 15 and head south on Highway 900 (aka 17^th Ave NW or later Renton-Issaquah Rd. SE).

In a bit over three miles from I-90, be alert for a blue sign with white letters on the right side of the road, which reads “Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park / Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead.”  Slow down, and just before the sign turn uphill on the asphalt road that leads into a small parking area. There is room for about a dozen cars, and no permit is required.  Break-ins are, unfortunately, common- leave nothing visible in the car.