South Pond–Coal Mine Loop Trail, 5 sights
9.3 mi · ▲ 1,244 ft · 3 hr 43 min
South Pond–Coal Mine Loop Trail, 5 sights is a 9.3-mile out-and-back in Central Park near Issaquah, WA. The route reaches South Pond. It climbs 1,244 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 9/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
South Pond–Coal Mine Loop Trail, 5 sights
9.3 mi · ▲ 1,244 ft · 3 hr 43 min
Elevation 288–1,193 ft
Out & Back · Central Park
Trailhead: 47.53640, -122.01873
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:50 AM · sunset 8:39 PM
Transit-accessible: 9th Ave NE & NE Ellis Dr stop 480 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 200 ftTurn left onto Issaquah-Preston Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto Grand Ridge West, heading E.
- 250 ftSharp right onto Coal Mine Loop Trail, heading NW.
- 0.7 miSharp left onto East Fork Trail, heading E.
- 1.5 miBear right onto Len's Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miReach South Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Spruce Coaster Trail, heading SW.
- 0.6 miSharp right onto Flowing Fir Loop, heading NW.
- 1.6 miSharp right onto Sam Dog Creek Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Coal Mine Loop Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miPass South Pond.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Grand Ridge West, heading SW.
- 250 ftSharp right onto Issaquah-Preston Trail, heading SE.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading W.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~79 min). Leave by 7:00 PM for the 8:39 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: 9th Ave NE & NE Ellis Dr stop 480 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Issaquah-Preston Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 237 ft
- Issaquah-Preston Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 223 ft
- Issaquah-Preston Trail 3.2 mi · ▲ 223 ft
- Coal Mine Loop Trail 3.7 mi · ▲ 624 ft
- Issaquah-Preston Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 319 ft
- Sunset Pond via Coal Mine Loop Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 622 ft
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