CHS 2 Hike - Cougar Mountain: Jim Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trailhead

This is a CHS 2 hike and will be led at an overall pace of 2.0-2.5 mph. This is a very popular trail and we will come across many other hikers/trail runners/people hiking with (leashed) dogs on a Saturday morning. We will hike on several trails and complete two different loops. Trails will include: Whittaker Wilderness Peak trail, Gombu Wilderness Cliffs Trail, Shy Bear trail, etc.

Bring a snack/light lunch. We will take breaks, but since this is a short hike, we will not take a traditional longer lunch break.

Since the trailhead parking lot is very small, we will meet at the Tibbetts Valley Park & Ride at 7:30 am, consolidate hikers into carpools and depart for the trailhead no later than 7:40. It’s a 3 mile drive so we plan to arrive at the TH at 7:45.   If you choose to drive straight to the TH meet us there at 7:45. We plan to start the hike around 8:00am.

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. A portable toilet is available.