Weather forecasts for Sunday show a chance of sprinkles in the morning. Good enough, let's go! Specifically, let's get in one last Issaquah Alps hike. Since there will likely be rain in the days before Sunday, let's take the Coal Creek trail to Coal Creek Falls, with the expectation that the falls will have a lot of water. We'll continue on to Issaquah afterward.
Let's meet at the Eastgate Park & Ride at about 9:10am, to catch the #240 bus to Renton that is scheduled to come by at 9:18am. We'll get off at the Coal Creek trailhead, and head east. We'll pass one smaller falls along the way, then enter the Cougar area at Red Town. We can stop for lunch either at the Weird Rock Formation, or at Coal Creek Falls. After lunch, we'll continue on through Cougar, and come out near the Issaquah Transit Center, where we can catch whatever bus is appropriate.
This is about 9.5 miles, under 2000 ft elevation gain, nothing technical. No "shortcuts" or "social trails", I promise. ;-) Ok, maybe one social trail.
If folks are interested, there is the option to get dinner at any of the fine restaurants in the Issaquah area. Most recently, we went to Naan 'n' Curry (Pakistani cuisine), which is not far from the Issaquah Transit Center, but Garlic Crush (Mediterranean) is also nearby. Many more restaurants are available via a quick bus ride into downtown Issaquah or Gilman Village.
Logistics:
Bring water, lunch, snacks. Be prepared for possible sprinkles. Footwear with good traction is recommended. Trails are in good condition, but they are trails, and you'll want better traction if you're going to climb on the Weird Rock Formation.
Bus riders: If you are coming from downtown on the #554, note it stops on the freeway offramp, and does not come into Eastgate P&R. Walk north on 142nd Pl, look for the walkway into the Eastgate parking structure. If you are coming from the east on the #554, it may still be on a reroute for construction, and actually stop at Eastgate P&R. Most other relevant buses, such as the #271 from the U District and Bellevue, stop at Eastgate P&R, not on the freeway.
Drivers: There is no parking at the Coal Creek trailhead. Park at the Eastgate P&R and take the #240 with the rest of us. The #554 or #271 will get you back to Eastgate after the hike.
A visit to Naan 'n' Curry or Garlic Crush adds about a mile to the walk.
