Cougar Mountain #Hike - #SaturdaySnapshots

Another hike - this one in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park near Newcastle, Washington. My FitBit says I walked 8.36 miles during that 24-hour period (which also includes walking the dog around our neighborhood), and my legs believe it! On this hike, the trail was lined with blooms - bleeding heart, trillium, and fern just starting to unfurl.
[Click on photos to enlarge.]

Western trillium (trillium ovatum)

Bleeding heart (Dicenta formosa)

Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum)

New spring leaves created a bright green canopy overhead. 

They really were that green! Trails are well-marked and 
maintained by volunteers.

Though most of the trails took us through forest, this one overlooked an open area that was once a clay pit.

We crossed this narrow plank over a creek in single file. 

Thank heavens for the sturdy railing!

Lunch break at Coal Creek Falls.

Here's our route.

Here's a little history of the park and a reminder of the Cold War years:

In the 1950s and early 60s, two active Nike missile sites were located within the park’s current boundaries, in order to protect the Puget Sound region from potential air attacks. Eventually, these sites were decommissioned, and in the late 1960s, King County took over ownership of the land that would later become Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park.

More info about this park (a colorful brochure) HERE

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