It's hard to believe that this picture was taken in the middle of last winter!Just off I-90 on Exit 13 (Lakemont Boulevard), there is a wonderful little hike that is perfect for kids and perfect for winter. In fact, I believe it's better this time of year, as the moss is prolific in the cold weather and the bugs are not. The falls are also supposed to be more full between the months of January and February. This hike is 2.5 miles roundtrip, relatively flat, and actually has a bit of history around it!
The area of Coal Creek was once an old mining camp, known as Red Town. As you hike to the falls, you'll notice areas off the trail where the ground has slumped in. These areas were once underground mines, but as the ground has weakened, the weight of the soil has made the mines collapse. Your kids will enjoy imagining this area as a mine camp, far away from the city of Seattle. Make sure that you stay on the trail—some of these mines may not have fallen in and could be dangerous.
The falls are beautiful, and the kids will enjoy playing on the bridge nearby. If you're feeling adventurous, don't go back the way you came. Instead, continue on past the falls. The trail will eventually pass by Redtown Meadow, where the miners used to hold baseball games. The meadow is now reclaimed by natural grasses, shrubs, and vines, so the kids can't run around on it, but there are a couple of interesting signs explaining how the meadow was once used. If you do decide to take this route back, make sure you study the map at the trailhead before departing.
To find the falls, take Exit 13 of I-90 and drive south on Lakemont Boulevard until it becomes Newcastle-Coal Creek Road. Continue on until you see the a trailhead and parking lot on the left (eastern) side of the road. If you come to the Newcastle Golf Course, you've gone too far.
For a map to the Coal Creek Falls, look here.
The area of Coal Creek was once an old mining camp, known as Red Town. As you hike to the falls, you'll notice areas off the trail where the ground has slumped in. These areas were once underground mines, but as the ground has weakened, the weight of the soil has made the mines collapse. Your kids will enjoy imagining this area as a mine camp, far away from the city of Seattle. Make sure that you stay on the trail—some of these mines may not have fallen in and could be dangerous.
The falls are beautiful, and the kids will enjoy playing on the bridge nearby. If you're feeling adventurous, don't go back the way you came. Instead, continue on past the falls. The trail will eventually pass by Redtown Meadow, where the miners used to hold baseball games. The meadow is now reclaimed by natural grasses, shrubs, and vines, so the kids can't run around on it, but there are a couple of interesting signs explaining how the meadow was once used. If you do decide to take this route back, make sure you study the map at the trailhead before departing.
To find the falls, take Exit 13 of I-90 and drive south on Lakemont Boulevard until it becomes Newcastle-Coal Creek Road. Continue on until you see the a trailhead and parking lot on the left (eastern) side of the road. If you come to the Newcastle Golf Course, you've gone too far.
For a map to the Coal Creek Falls, look here.
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