Cougar Mountain is King County’s largest park, covering 3,082
acres, with more than 36 miles of hiking trails and nearly 40
geocaches. Bordered by Bellevue, Newcastle, and Issaquah, Cougar
Mountain is a natural oasis today, but this “Issaquah Alp” has a
rich mining and railroad history (highlighted in park exhibits and
some caches).
Last year, we hosted a
very successful CITO at Red Town Trailhead. Cougar has asked us
to do a similar work project at Anti-Aircraft Peak this year.
Cougar and King County Parks (KCP) have been very supportive of
geocaching, so let’s thank them by making this another successful
work project!
Time and place? The CITO is 10:30 am – 2:00 pm; meet in
the parking area at Anti-Aircraft Peak (posted coordinates). Please
arrive promptly, so KCP can get us organized and maximize the work
time. Carpool if you can, as parking is somewhat limited, and we’ll
be sharing it with regular park visitors. When you RSVP, please
note how many will be participating, so I can provide a head count
to the Cougar folks. Thanks!
Everyone will need to sign a liability waiver on-site. If anyone
under age 18 plans to attend without parent or guardian, I have a
form you must get signed in advance in order to participate. I
can't upload the PDF, so please email me.
Work project? We're going to clear weeds and replant
native flora near the pergola viewpoint at AA Peak. There's even a
cache where we'll be working:
SG #55 - View Point - WOW.
What to wear and bring? Long pants, boots, and water are
a must. Dress to get dirty! Raingear and layers depending on
weather. Bring work gloves and hand pruners if you have them; KCP
will provide other necessary tools.
Socializing? We'll have a picnic afterward by the
pergola. There are a couple of picnic tables, a covered shelter,
and lawn. So bring your lunch, and maybe a chair or blanket.
Swag? Of course! There will be geo-goodies for the
hard-working participants, courtesy of WSGA, Groundspeak, and
several cachers. (If you want to donate an item to the giveaway,
please email me.) Plus,
WSGA is offering a special CITO T-shirt, which features a map of
our state with Signal the Frog and the CITO logo.
Order
your shirt now.
Hiking and caching? AA Peak Trailhead is a primary entry
point to the park's trail system, and there are several caches
nearby. I'll try to bring some park maps, as this trailhead doesn't
always have them, but you can also get one at the Sky Country or
Red Town trailhead, or here's a PDF
version. (If you use a Garmin GPSr, Northwest
Trails could prove helpful.)
WWFM? May 2 is also the date for the 5th Worldwide Flash
Mob. JustMike and hydnsek are hosting
WWFM V - Let It Rain! at 10:00 am at nearby Lake Boren Park in
Newcastle, just before this CITO. Two event smilies - no excuse not
to do both!
 This event is sponsored by the
Washington State Geocaching Association. If you are a
geocacher in the state of Washington, please join WSGA. See
the WSGA website for
details. |