I first found out about this trail and the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park from the book Hiking Washington's History by Judy Bentley. Many hiking trails are featured where historical locations or points of interest are identified.
The Newport Hills produced about 11 million tons of coal during the mining boom of the 1880s and '90s when Washington became the "Pennsylvania of the West." The coal was transported by wagons from Newport Hills then barged up Lake Washington where wagons once again transported them to Seattle. Newcastle mines by 1876 produced 400 tons a day and employed 250 men. As a result, townsites were established. However, by the 1930s the towns were abandoned when the Coal Creek mine was destroyed by fire.
The remains of the mining industry can still be seen around the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. I've included many that I found during my hike on the Coal Creek Trail.
Air shaft-- In 1894 there was a fire in the mine and 162 miners climbed ropes through air shafts such as this one to escape.
Old barn or shed seen from trail. I speculate that the brick formation in front of the structure could be remnants from another building or was used as a ramp to load animals or supplies into cars or wagons.
concrete and iron above the creek. If i remember correctly, it was part of the railroad tracks that were built above the creek.
Debris can still be seen corroded and rusted in the creek.
North Fork Falls--The burnt orange color of the rocks is due to iron oxide.
The planks of wood laid in the creek were to stop the water from leaking into a mine.
This is a wooden walkway covered with metal mesh for traction leading to stairs. I assume the walkway is to cover marshy area. I love this walkway as we don't see many like it.
Looking down from the top of the stairs
This yellow iron gate is the only indication from the trail of the abandoned roadbed of the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad that came from Renton.
Hazel frolicking in the tall grass in typical beagle fashion
While the slap of concrete with rebar sticking out may look insignificant, it was actually part of a locomotive turntable.
Military Road/Red Town Dam--Cougar Mountain
After hiking the Coal Creek Trail, I wanted to see more of the park and other historical markers from the coal mining era. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park have many, many, miles of trials. The handy map shows where points of interest are, waterfalls, etc. to help me decide which feature I wanted to see first. I next hiked the Military Road trail which was uphill, but wasn't very long.
Military Road, built in the 1860s, was one of the first roads in King County. It was called Military Road because it was built to protect European settlers from Indian attacks. Soldier could ride over the road to come to the aid of the settlers. It was also the lifeling for the Issaqua Valley before the railroad. Tibbett's Stage Line hauled freight and supplies from Seattle to the valley and produce from the valley to Seattle.
Military Rd. didn't have many historical markers besides a plaque with historical information. However, it does connect with the trail leading to the Red Town Dam.
Cougar Mountain has a lot of these cute wooden bridges over the creeks.
This is the Red town dam. Water was needed in homes, for washing coal, and for fighting fires. Because water was so crucial, the town built approx. 6 dams. This is the #3 dam and had pipes to carry the water to the miners homes in Redtown.
Another bridge over swampy ground
De Leo Wall Viewpoint- Far Country Lookout--> Cougar Mountain
Well...This hike started off well. We went to both viewpoints and saw the gorgeous views. Unfortunately, our sense of direction and ability to read a map were not up to par and we got lost. Somehow we stumbled upon an abandoned house in the middle of a meadow and ended up in a residential neighborhood. After much debate we retraced our steps and found our way back to the right trail. It was both scary and stressful for the hour and a half detour but we now have a humorous story to tell. Anyways, here are the pics I took of our adventure.
I believe this is from the De Leo Wall viewpoint looking at Newcastle...
...and this from the Far Country Lookout
When we were lost we found an abandoned house in a meadow
One whole wall of the house was missing. Hmm... and what could have been a barn or shed attached.
Old Robe Canyon Trail--Granite Falls
I found this hike in Hiking Washington's History as well. The historical highlights are the railroad tunnels.
The Robe family homesteaded there in the 1980s and the town was created and grew because the railroad workers and loggers arrived to work on the railroad that ran from Monte Cristo to Everett and to work in the forest logging. The railroad line was very dangerous. There was an instance of a slide closing down a tunnel and the crew that went to fix it were killed by a second slide. Robe boasted 150 people before it's abandonment in the 1930s due to the collapse of the lumber industry and the flooding of the river that closed down the railroad.
The trail is reported at 1.2 miles with the Robe townsite at 0.7 miles into the trail. However, when my sister and I went, we only got to the Robe townsite as the trail was flooded. Even though we went in August, last summer was a wet one so hopefully I will be able to make it to the end next time to see the RR tunnels. I have to say I was dissappointed in this hike as I did not see any historical markers or indications of the previous RR and lumber industry or the townsite. It was a lovely hike as the scenery was beautiful.
View of the Stillaguamish River from the trail.
The Stillaguamish River
Granite Falls:
After our short hike on Old Robe Canyon, we headed back to hike down to Granite Falls. This was another short hike, but were delighted in the Falls.
The granite surrounding the river is amazing
Looking downriver
The cliff runs along the other side of the river and is amazing in its height.
On the trial further down the river, we came across what looks like cut outs into the rock wall. It looks to be man made, but I do not know to what purpose. It is cool looking though!
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