Coal Creek Park Primrose Trail

Location: Newcastle/Bellevue.

Length: About four miles round trip.

Level of difficulty: Flat to moderately steep; muddy after rains.

Setting: Thirty-five million years ago, this lush valley was a swampy floodplain covered in giant tree ferns and palms; these sediments and plants later became the coal that helped put Seattle on the map in the 1800s. From the parking lot, cross the road to start off on Coal Creek Trail, noting the concrete foundation of the boiler room of the Coal Creek Hotel off to the right. Then descend the steps to the creek. Off a short path to the right lies a gaping hole, which was the airshaft for some of the old mines. Farther along the trail lies North Fork Falls and the locomotive turntable site, where locomotives were turned around for the journey back down, pulling cars loaded with coal.

Highlights: The Primrose Trail Loop (named for the local Primrose coal seam), is marked by a sign 1.3 miles from the trailhead that points off to the right. This sometimes-steep trail (not recommended after heavy rains) leads down into a verdant stream canyon. Remnants of the mining days can be seen in pieces of cable visible along the path, and in some coal-car axles locked to a tree near the stream.

Facilities: Vault toilet at parking lot.

Restrictions: No bikes or horses; leash and scoop laws in effect.

Directions: Take Interstate 90 to Exit 13 and follow the sign to turn onto Lakemont Boulevard Southeast. Drive 3 miles and turn left into the Cougar Mountain trailhead parking lot.

Information: Pick up a trail map at the parking-lot kiosk. Go on a free guided walk with a King County naturalist (206-296-4171 or www.metrokc.gov/parks/events/tracks.htm) or the Issaquah Alps hiking club (206-328-0480). The hiking club also publishes a book of trails in the Cougar Mountain area.

Cathy McDonald is coauthor with Stephen Whitney of "Nature Walks In and Around Seattle," with photographs by James Hendrickson (The Mountaineers, second edition, 1997).