Cougar Mountain: Red Town Trailhead
Hike in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. It's close to the city and in the Snoqualmie foothills with terrain varying from gravel to single track trails, all in second growth forest. The Coal Creek Falls loop is a popular, short, easy day hike. There are also many options for longer out-and-back and loop trips to explore further into the park from this trailhead. Dogs on a leash are welcome.
Temporary Closure
The road in front of the Cougar Mountain Red Town trailhead (Lakemont Boulevard SE/Newcastle Golf Club Rd) will be closed from October 24, 2023 until June 2024. There may be delays entering and exiting the Red Town Trailhead during peak construction activity. Access may also be restricted for short periods to allow for the safe delivery of equipment and material. Access to the Coal Creek Trail from Lakemont Boulevard may also be limited during construction. For more information about the closure, including a detour route, please visit the Lakemont Boulevard Culvert project page.
getting there
From I-90 Eastbound, take Exit 13, the Lakemont Boulevard SE exit and turn right. Drive south for 3 miles. Just before the road curves, turn into the Red Town Trailhead (650 ft).
From I-405, take Exit 10 and follow Coal Creek Parkway east for 2.4 miles to the shopping center. Turn left at the light onto SE 72nd Place. At the stop sign, turn left onto Newcastle Road, which turns into Lakemont Boulevard SE. Continue on Lakemont to the Red Town Trailhead (650 ft).
on the trail
Hike to Coal Creek Falls from the Red Town Trailhead or make it a loop. This popular loop is 4 miles with 200 feet of elevation gain. There are plenty of options to extend this hike to other destinations from this trailhead including Doughty Falls, Long View Peak, and Far Country Falls.
- Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Trail Running
- Seasons: Year-round
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: *Varies*
- Land Manager: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
- Parking Permit Required: None
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- Green Trails Cougar Mtn No. 203S
Upcoming Activities
January Winter Conditioning Runs: 5-7 miles - Coal Creek
January Winter Conditioning Runs: 5-7 miles - Cougar Mountain: Red Town Trailhead
February Winter Conditioning Run: 6+ miles - Cougar Mountain: Red Town Trailhead
Winter Hiking Series: I-90 Alley March Hikes - Cougar Mountain: Red Town Trailhead
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Coal Creek
- Coal Creek Falls
- Coal Creek Falls Loop
- Doughty Falls
- Long View Peak
- Far Country Falls
- De Leo Wall
- Wildside Trail—De Leo Wall
- Cougar Mountain Loop
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