
Trip
Frontcountry Trail Run - Cougar Mountain Loop
Interested in practicing your winter running with an after work adventure? Join us (including a fabulous pup named Leo) for what will, most likely be, a wet and wintry Tuesday evening run on Cougar!
- Info
- COVID-19: Learn about our most up-to-date guidance for participants and leaders on our COVID-19 Response page. All participants and leaders must agree to the COVID-19 Code of Conduct before participating in this Mountaineers activity.
- Tue, Feb 5, 2019
- Foothills Trail Running Committee
- Trail Running
- Adults
- Moderate
- Challenging
- Mileage: 5.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 1,352 ft
- Pace: 10-16 minutes/mile
- FULL (4 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
Please note that the difficulty rating of this run is now CHALLENGING due to the conditions! Be prepared for snow and ice (and a very long email in regards to that... sorry)!!
Otherwise, hope to see you there!
Meeting Location: the parking area for Big Tree Ridge Trail off Newport Way. It's a widened area on the side of the road to allow for vehicle parking. If coming from exit 15, it should be on your left a few minutes down the road after turning on to Newport Way (the photo is facing the opposite direction).
Departure Objective: shoes on, talk accomplished, and feet to trail by 5:30 pm. Check out the nice map below. :)
Goals:
- - Build community and enjoy getting outside during the beautiful and temperate winters of the PNW.
- - Our aim is to complete an approximate five mile loop, keeping an eye on the time and conditions. (I'm approximating a 1-1.5 hour run.) We'll be adjusting the run, as needed to account for terrain, conditions, and how everyone is doing.
- - Be safe'ish-prepare for mud! Also, maybe snow. Currently, it's looking like this will be a WINTER RUN (finally!). We'll be running slow, to account for this, so the moderate ranking of the run is more based on the conditions than anything else.
PACE:
I'm expecting a pace range between 11-15 minutes/mile. There will be an ascent at the beginning, but then terrain should be fairly gentle and rolling. It should be easy to adjust to accommodate all!
TERRAIN:
This area of Cougar Mountain is an lovely mix of everything from a few gravel roads to single track and heavily wooded areas to several graveled tracks. Expect elevation gains varying from ~1300 feet (according to Caltopo) elevation gain depending on the distance/pace we choose. Expect a lovely evening with at least a stop or two to check out the evening's sights, read some historic signs, and water the pooch.
Link to the King Country Trail map: https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/gis/web/VMC/recreation/BCT_CougarMtn_brochure.pdf
Cougar Mountain Loop
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Green Trails Cougar Mtn No. 203S
see Land Manager - See full route/place details.
Required Equipment
- Sturdy running shoes
- Layers - be prepared for the weather
- Terrain may be varying: I'll scope out the area and provide further equipment as needed to prep for the winter conditions (i.e. micro-spikes or yak-tracks - make sure they work with your shoe choice). Feel free to bring these anyways, if you like
- A running light and backup
- Any other desired running equipment
- Additional safety gear as determined by leader