Jim and Vickie's Anniversary

Today is Sunday, Dec. 22, 2007 and is Jim and Vickie's anniversary. We started the day at 9 am and headed for the Sky Country trailhead of Cougar Mt. It was a wet and slightly rainy day. Due to the particular good luck of Mary, the rain never became significant. This luck most likely was due to a boon Mary must have received from earlier years' good works. Although at times muddy, the hike around Mine Shaft Trail via East Fork Trail, was very enjoyable. We hiked 3.23 miles in 1 hour and 52 minutes.
We returned to a delicous brunch prepared by Chef James Carlson at the Carlson home. After brunch and superior conversation Mike and Mary returned home to relax. Mike commented on the way home how pleasant was the comparny of the Carlsons. It was a great day.

Mary checks her map with help from others

Today, Sunday Dec. 16, 2007 (which incidentally is Tyler's 1/2 year birthday), Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I hiked from the Redtown Trailhead to the Sky Country Trailhead. We started down Redtown Trail and turned up Indian Trail. I meant to have us turn right onto Quarry Trail but as Jim got me talking I inadvertantly missed the turn. When the mistake was discovered, we were far down Indian Trail so turned off at Far Country Trail. We looped through the lookout point and continued on this beautiful secluded trail which turned into Shy Bear Trail, turning right into Fred's Railroad Trail. We soon were on familiar ground and reached Sky Country Trailhead. We took a shorter route back and found we had hiked 5 miles which took 3 hours. Our extended distance cost us an hour but made an enjoyable and rewarding hike.

Hike between two trailheads

Hike between two trailheads

Saturday morning Jim, Vickie, and I (Mary) started our hike from the Sky Country Trailhead on Cougar Mt. We started out on Old Man's Trail and headed up Coyote Creek Trail to the Anti-Aircraft Trailhead where we stopped for a few pictures until heading back an alternate route. Another hiker saw us taking pictures of each other and volunteered to take one of us all together. It was a beautiful hike which we enjoyed even though a few unexpected turns were taken however still allowing us to reach our final destination. Mike was not present as he was in Kettle Falls winterizing the house and would return on Sunday night.

Hike around Tibbetts Marsh

Today Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I hiked around Tibbetts Marsh from the Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead on Cougar Mt. The trees were tall and leafless for the most part but layers upon layers of follage surrounded us on the pleasant hike. The day was cloudy but dry except for the occasional muddy trail. We all had a great time! The hike lasted 1 hour 15 minutes and was 2 miles long

Hike around Long Marsh

Sunday, Mike and I took a hike from the Redtown Trailhead around Long Marsh. It was a leafy cloudy day with a crisp fresh light breeze in the air. We enjoyed the hike. Jim and Vickie were at Benaroya Hall for a Seattle Symphony performance. Diane, Scott, and Tyler were in Seattle for a brunch and purchasing a Christmas Tree.

Hike via Protector Trail

Today, Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I headed out from Anti-Aircraft Trailhead for a pleasant walk down Shangri La Trail. Mike saw an old navy hat on a post and we all thought it was his. However, he did not claim it. When it showed up again toward the end of the hike we all realized we had missed the turn off and were looping around again. We made the correction and retraced our steps until we reached the trailhead. It was a delightful hike with none of the predicted rain, instead being clear and fresh. The hike was 2.79 miles long.

Anti-Aircraft Trailhead

Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I had a very nice hike today around Anti-Aircraft Trailhead on Cougar Mountain. The weather was very foggy at first but cleared into a slight drizzle that was light and refreshing. Our hike was 1.93 miles long and lasted a little over an hour.

Hike to Surprise Creek Trail

Hike to Surprise Creek Trail

Today, Sunday October 28, Jim, Vickie, Scott, Tyler, Mike and I (and Lily) started for a Cougar Mt. Hike. I directed us to Anti-Aircraft Trailhead even though I meant to start at Sky Country Trailhead. We headed out on Shangri La Trail and swept around No Name Trail and back through Surprise Creek Trail. Tyler was alert most of the way and interested in the trees and crunchy leaves underfoot. It was a great hike! The hike lasted about 1 and a half hours after we located the correct trail.

Hike to Sky Country Trailhead

Today, Saturday, October 13, Jim, Vickie, Mike and I hiked from the Redtown Trailhead of Cougar Mt. up to the Sky Country Trailhead. It was a beautiful day, especially for October, and we enjoyed the bright sunlight peaking through the large trees as we headed up and down the slopes. The hike was 3.31 miles long and took 1 hour and 50 minutes or 33.2 minutes per mile.

Hike to Sky Country Trailhead

Hike to De Leo Wall

De Leo Wall

This morning, Monday October 8, 2007 Jim and Vickie set out for their hike from the Redtown trailhead of Cougar Mt. Mary and Mike were taking care of Tyler while their mom, who has a cold, worked from home and Scott flew out for a two day business trip. Jim and Vickie traversed the De Leo Wall trail and viewed the water tank and another viewpoint. The hike lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes and they covered a distance of 5 miles. It was a pleasant morning and they said they had a great hike.
Labels: Hiking Cougar Mt.

Hike to Coal Creek Falls

Today, Saturday, September 29, 2007 Jim, Vickie, Mike, and I hiked to Coal Creek Falls from the Redtown Trailhead of Cougar Mt. It was a beautiful day, mostly cloudy and a little crisp, but bright without being sunny. The green layers of trees and foliage as we looked down from the hilly path were beautiful. This weekend Diane, Scott, and Tyler are at Westport with Scott's parents. Our hike took one hour 31 minutes and was 2.93 miles long. The minimum and maximum altitudes were 660 ft and 1122 ft.

Hike to Coal Creek Falls

Cave Hole Trail

Hike to Cave Hole Trail

Today, Monday, is Labor Day and Mike and I decided to hike on Cougar Mountain. We left the Redtown trailhead and headed up Military Road eventually connecting with Cave Hole Trail. As I was talking incessantly, we missed the turnoff down to the Redtown Trail and I soon realized we were on a different route than I planned. After a nice hike up Cave Hole trail we turned back and connected with our orignal route. As it was now after one hour hiking time, we returned to the parking area. It was a very nice hike. The beginning trail was lovely with green leafed trees spreading their branches across our heads, and the nice trails continued. The hike ended at 1 hour 10 minutes and was very enjoyable.

Hike around Long Marsh and Steam Hoist Trail

This morning, Sunday August 26, 2007, Mike and I left the Redtown Trailhead on Cougar Mountain and hiked around Long Marsh returning on Steam Hoist Trail. The air was fresh and a little crisp with the sun peaking through the clouds. Mike and I both agreed it was a very nice hike even though we missed our hiking companions. Jim and Vickie are in Germany enjoying Wagner's Ring series. Diane, Scott, and Tyler are at Westport this weekend. The hike took an hour and a half.

Hike to Far Country Lookout

Today, Sunday Aug. 12, 2007, Mike, Scott, Tyler, Lily and I hiked from the Redtown Trailhead of Cougar Mt. to the Far Country Lookout. Tyler was wide awake for the first part of the hike then fell asleep. On the way back Tyler woke up and wondered where his bottle or mommy was. Luckily he soon fell back to sleep enjoying the comfy carrier he was in and the fresh air. The hike took one hour 40 minutes and was around 7,700 steps.

Redtown Trailhead to Long Marsh

On Sunday 8/5/07 Mike, Jim, Vicky, Lily, and I (Mary) left the Cougar Mt. Redtown Trailhead for Long Marsh. The hike was 2.9 miles and took us one hour 18 minutes. The elevation gain was 137 feet.

Redtown Trailhead to Meadow Restoration Project

On Wednesday 8/1/07 Mike, Jim, Vickie, Lily and I hiked from the Redtown trailhead of Cougar to the Meadow Restoration Project. The hike was about 45 minutes long.