Sky Country Trailhead opens on Cougar Mountain

Hikers and equestrians will now have a new access point to enjoy the wonders of King County's largest park – Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. The 'Sky Country Trailhead' officially opens to the public today, June 29, 2005 at 3 p.m.

The new trailhead will provide parking for the thousands of people who visit the area every year. It also creates a new horse trailhead for up to eight horse trailers. The parking lot is specially designed to accommodate horse trailers.

The new trailhead was named "Sky Country' in recognition of well known hiking guide author Harvey Manning, who has spent a lifetime chronicling the magnificent sites and trails on Cougar Mountain

"Cougar Mountain Wildland Park is a wonderful resource for all of us in King County,' said Larry Phillips, Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council. "Not only is it a scenic treasure, but it also has a rich history dating back to when Native Americans used it as an overland trade route. The Sky Country Trailhead will be another gateway to the area's natural beauty and history.'

Cougar Mountain's history also includes an old mining town, a restored meadow that was a baseball field in the 1920's and some old anti-aircraft gunning sites installed during World War II. Those sites were upgraded to Nike Missile and radar sites during the Cold War. They were deactivated in 1965.

"The missiles are long gone of course.' said King County Executive Ron Sims. "All the old asphalt, metal and debris have been removed. But the old trees and native vegetation have been preserved. King County is proud to offer this recreational opportunity without compromising the area's environmental integrity.'

"We really focused on the construction of the drainage swales and islands to keep the entire site appearing as naturally vegetated as possible, and to spread surface water drainage," said Tom Koney, assistant division director, King County Parks. "We wanted the landscaping and drainage system to stay as natural as possible. Hikers and horseback riders who venture on these trails will really get to see Cougar Mountain in its natural splendor."

The opening of the trailhead provides public access to portions of the 3,000 acre park and more than 36 miles of trails. Cougar Mountain is the largest park in the 20,000-acre King County Park System.

For more information about Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, click on http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/rentals/pommar99.htm.

Getting to Sky Country

From Renton: take 900 to 138th Ave NE and turn left. Road turns into Coal Creek Parkway. Turn right on Newcastle Coal Creek Rd SE. Road turns into Lakemont Blvd SE. Turn right on SE Cougar Mountain Way. Turn right on 166th Way SE. Go through the yellow gate and turn right into the parking lot.

From I 90: Take Exit 13 and drive south on Lakemont Boulevard. Turn left on SE Cougar Mountain Way. Turn right on 166th Way SE. Go through the yellow gate and turn right into the parking lot.