Quarry

The Quarry Trail cuts through a section of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park that saw active coal mining well into the twentieth century. The trail itself is short, roughly a mile one-way with about 560 feet of elevation change, but it serves as a key link between Coal Creek Falls and the broader network of trails threading through the park's second-growth forest. You will pass the old quarry site that gives the trail its name, along with mossy rock walls and fern-covered slopes.

Most people use this trail as part of a longer loop rather than as a standalone destination. Pairing it with Red Town, Fred's Railroad, or Old Man's Trail opens up solid half-day outings through forest that feels surprisingly remote given its proximity to Issaquah and Bellevue. The canopy is dense enough that even on drizzly days you stay reasonably sheltered, and the network has enough route variety to keep things interesting on repeat visits.

Expect mud through the wet months, and arrive early on weekends. The Sky Country and Red Town trailheads fill up by mid-morning, especially on dry winter Saturdays. Dogs are welcome on leash, and the grade is manageable for most kids who are comfortable with a little sustained climbing.