3-07-26
The
Saturday forecast was awful
with rain and wind when I went to bed on Friday. Saturday morning the
rain chance was much lower at Cougar Mountain. I decided to go for it.
The trail along Coal Creek from Coal Creek Parkway to Red Town is in a
deep canyon and avoids most high winds. I figured I would hike the 2.75
miles to Red Town. If the wind was really gusting over 20 mph I would
turn around and go back. If not I could head farther and get more
elevation gain and mileage. I was out the door at 7:45 am reached the
Red Cedar Trailhead at the bottom of Coal Creek to find the lot closed
by a fence. Time for a Plan B. I headed for Red Town. I arrived at 8:17
am. It was misty but not raining. There was very little wind. I decided
to head up to the Sky Country Trailhead (SCTH) first. The Coal Creek
Trail
does not have much elevation gain. A mile up the Military Trail to the
SCTH would add about 500' of gain. I took off fast and headed uphill at
8:22 am. I did not expect to see anyone and I did not. After gaining a
few hundred feet I started to hear gusts of wind in the trees. It was
minimal down in the forest but still a bit concerning.
I reached the one mile sign at the SCTH. The Coal Creek down and back would be about 5.5 miles and a mile up and down to SCTH added 2 more miles. I needed another half mile to get up to 8 miles for the day. I took the Nike Horse Trail over to the Cave Hole Road and a little farther. I zipped on back to the SCTH and headed down the trail.The trail down was wet and slippery in places but still not bad. I did not bring poles and did not need them. I arrived back at Red Town at 9:17 am. The Coal Creek Trail near the creek can be a bit muddy and slick so I stopped at my car and grabbed my poles. I carried them the rest of the day and did not use them. I crossed the road and meadow then began the descent to Coal Creek. The first thing I noticed is that the first .60 miles has been graveled. I normally do not like hard rocks lining the trail but this time they used very small rocks that are much easier to traverse while minimizing mud.
The trail drops quickly to one big hole across from the trail and then down to the creek. I stopped at the first waterfall. It is not big but it was flowing pretty well this day. The creek had enough water to be heard all over the canyon, even when the trail is far above it. As expected I felt no wind in the canyon. There was must much of the day and even a few raindrops but I never considered using my umbrella. The conditions were far better than the late evening forecast. At the next junction, I turned right on the Primrose Trail. It is longer but drops down to the creek. The upper trail stays high on the hillside and passes some homes. The Primrose Trail did have some slippery spots but also steps to descend. I do not prefer steps but on the steep hillside they are helpful. The trail crosses Coal Creek three times on bridges. There are some good spots to see trees covered in bright green moss. The moss is especially colorful when it is wet. I took a lot of photos in both directions. The trail climbs up to meet the upper trail and then drops back to the creek.
After the last creek crossing, the way climbs and drops as it proceeds downstream. I was interested in getting to the end near Coal Creek Parkway to find out why the parking lot was closed. I reached a fence before the lot. It turns out that a sewer pipe is being replaced. The timeline shows that the project started in mid 2025 and the trailhead will be closed for three years. That is a long time for a sewer upgrade. I turned around immediately and headed back. I seldom finish a hike with a 2.75 mile uphill section. I did see people off and on going back. Runners and hikers were split roughly evenly. The neat hanging moss slowed me down but I sped up when I climbed away from the creek. I reached the Red Town lot at 11:25 am.
For the day I hiked just over 8 miles with 1300' of elevation gain. That is a pretty easy hike but considering I was not sure that I wanted to venture out based on the forecast the night before, it was a pretty good hike. I had a lot of solitude in the morning and saw people off and on on the Coal Creek Trail. It was a bit muddy but less slick than expected. The waterfalls had a good flow as did Coal Creek. The bright hanging moss was the star of the day. I don't do this trip often but when high winds are in the forecast it is a pretty safe alternative. This finished an eight day stretch in which I hiked 37 mile with 6,100' of elevation gain. That gets me off to a fast start in March.
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Trips - 2026
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I reached the one mile sign at the SCTH. The Coal Creek down and back would be about 5.5 miles and a mile up and down to SCTH added 2 more miles. I needed another half mile to get up to 8 miles for the day. I took the Nike Horse Trail over to the Cave Hole Road and a little farther. I zipped on back to the SCTH and headed down the trail.The trail down was wet and slippery in places but still not bad. I did not bring poles and did not need them. I arrived back at Red Town at 9:17 am. The Coal Creek Trail near the creek can be a bit muddy and slick so I stopped at my car and grabbed my poles. I carried them the rest of the day and did not use them. I crossed the road and meadow then began the descent to Coal Creek. The first thing I noticed is that the first .60 miles has been graveled. I normally do not like hard rocks lining the trail but this time they used very small rocks that are much easier to traverse while minimizing mud.
The trail drops quickly to one big hole across from the trail and then down to the creek. I stopped at the first waterfall. It is not big but it was flowing pretty well this day. The creek had enough water to be heard all over the canyon, even when the trail is far above it. As expected I felt no wind in the canyon. There was must much of the day and even a few raindrops but I never considered using my umbrella. The conditions were far better than the late evening forecast. At the next junction, I turned right on the Primrose Trail. It is longer but drops down to the creek. The upper trail stays high on the hillside and passes some homes. The Primrose Trail did have some slippery spots but also steps to descend. I do not prefer steps but on the steep hillside they are helpful. The trail crosses Coal Creek three times on bridges. There are some good spots to see trees covered in bright green moss. The moss is especially colorful when it is wet. I took a lot of photos in both directions. The trail climbs up to meet the upper trail and then drops back to the creek.
After the last creek crossing, the way climbs and drops as it proceeds downstream. I was interested in getting to the end near Coal Creek Parkway to find out why the parking lot was closed. I reached a fence before the lot. It turns out that a sewer pipe is being replaced. The timeline shows that the project started in mid 2025 and the trailhead will be closed for three years. That is a long time for a sewer upgrade. I turned around immediately and headed back. I seldom finish a hike with a 2.75 mile uphill section. I did see people off and on going back. Runners and hikers were split roughly evenly. The neat hanging moss slowed me down but I sped up when I climbed away from the creek. I reached the Red Town lot at 11:25 am.
For the day I hiked just over 8 miles with 1300' of elevation gain. That is a pretty easy hike but considering I was not sure that I wanted to venture out based on the forecast the night before, it was a pretty good hike. I had a lot of solitude in the morning and saw people off and on on the Coal Creek Trail. It was a bit muddy but less slick than expected. The waterfalls had a good flow as did Coal Creek. The bright hanging moss was the star of the day. I don't do this trip often but when high winds are in the forecast it is a pretty safe alternative. This finished an eight day stretch in which I hiked 37 mile with 6,100' of elevation gain. That gets me off to a fast start in March.
 Near Big Meadow |
 Heading Down |
 Double Tree |
 Mossy Military Road |
 On Coal Creek Trail |
 Really Bright Green |
 Air Shaft |
 First Waterfall |
 Whitewater Cascade |
 Bridge & Staircase |
 Old Railroad Grade |
 Back To Coal Creek |
 First Bridge |
 Second Waterfall |
 Right Along Creek |
 Moss Show Picks Up |
 Branches Everywhere |
 Narrow Spot |
 Second Bridge |
 Framed Artwork |
 Moss & Ferns |
 Green & Black |
 Sewer Replacement |
 Heading Back |
 New Leaves |
 Muddy Spot |
 Fern Tree |
 More Moss & Ferns |
 Even More Moss |
 Runners |
 Second Falls Again |
 Coal Creek Signboard |
Trips - 2026
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