Cougar Mountain named to top trail-running destinations in the nation

While we here in King County already know that Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a special place, it's always nice to get some affirmation. The editors at Active.com - a website for runners - have just named Cougar Mountain one of the 25 best places for trail running in the United States.

"Every urban area should be blessed with a trail running sanctuary as sublime as Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park," the editors say.

We agree, but they didn't go far enough with their praise: Cougar Mountain - all 3,100-plus acres of it - is equally sublime for hikers, dog walkers (don't forget the leash), horseback riders, wildlife enthusiasts and fans of local history, too.

King County Parks takes a great deal of pride in the quality of Cougar Mountain's 36-mile trail system, and our staff receive a tremendous level of support from our volunteer ranks, including members of the Seattle Running Club - our partners in the popular annual trail running series.

Volunteers from the club donate an average of 150 hours each year to trail maintenance at Cougar Mountain, and the annual trail running series has brought more than $70,000 to King County Parks to support park maintenance and improvements.

Learn more about Cougar Mountain and the rest of King County Parks' 26,000 acres of open space, and 175 miles of regional trails: www.kingcounty.gov/parks.

http://www.active.com/running/Articles/25-Best-Trail-Running-Destinations-in-the-US.htm?int=29-34