Remember those fairy tale movies where nymphs and fairies fly around in the lush, watery, moss-covered enchanted forest? I think I spotted one of those in the trails of Cougar Mountain, on this Sunday and Seattle-foggy morning. The air was a bit chill and damp, the dirt trails were clean and well kept. I walked alone on the gentle trial. Joggers grunted “how are you doing this morning” as they passed, some accompanied by their dogs.
To get here, find the Red Town Trailhead Parking lot (47.534979,-122.128855, as Newcastle Golf Club Road turns into Lakkmont Blvd. SE). Go to the right end of the parking lot and get the trail map in the booth. Trails are well marked and generally wide enough for two people side by side. This park needs many days to explore. Capable hikers may spend a whole day. For light exercise, Red Town and Wildside trails form a circle of roughly an hour’s easy walk.
As I ducked under the canopy of green lattice of strangely formed branches, I realized that parks like this are the best of Seattle. It is clean, unspoiled, well marked, and full of natural serenity. Seattlites respect the land, enjoy nature, are friendly to each other, and pick up after their dogs. I felt the familiar warming up from the mild exertion, but the hint of euphoria is different from the normal gym work-out. I should get out more.