There is a more direct route to the clay pits that I used to see how
fast I could run up. Off of SE Cougar Mt. Way go south on 166th Way
SE. A gate stops you at a new trail head parking lot at the old Nike
launch site. Go back to and walk up the road (one sharp left turn) for
nearly a mile. The road ends at the clay pit.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah
On Monday, January 30, 2006, at 12:30 PM, David Maloney wrote:

> To all,
>
> Sorry for the late post, but I was not at my work email this weekend.
> I have
> not seen this previously posted, but if I missed it, sorry for the
> repeat.
> My son (Peter) and his friend (Nathan Saad) came in from a hike up on
> Cougar
> Mountain in the Lakemont area with tales and photos of a Snowy Owl (in
> the
> Snow!) in the Clay Pit area. As my son knows I have chased across the
> West
> for my bird photography habit to get Snowy Owl shots. Anyway, Peter
> and
> Nathan went hiking in the driving rain/snow on Sat afternoon. In the
> mud/snow of the Clay Pit they found a very cooperative Owl in very poor
> visibility, sitting in the snow on one of the hills of dirt/clay.
> They are
> both learning photography and had dozens of nice photos (although from
> a
> distance).
>
> Yesterday (Sunday) I went up in the AM prior to the heavy rain and
> found TWO
> Snowy Owls in the Clay Pit area. Unfortunately the snow on the ground
> was
> gone by the am. This is after a rather muddy but easy 1 mile hike from
> the
> Anti-aircraft Radar Trailhead into the Cougar Mountain Wildlife Park.
> Both
> Owls were easily visible from the edge of the Clay pit area. Nice to
> see
> right here in the Bellview/Issaquah area. I would warn all that if you
> go
> down into the Pit, the mud is VERY slippery and fairly deep (trust me,
> personal experience here). I did get some very nice photos of the two
> Owls
> (which I will add to my office wall), despite the low light and poor
> weather. The trail is well marked (to Clay Pit). Just be sure to
> remember
> all of the turns you take so that you can get back out.
>
> David Maloney
> dmaloney AT FHCRC.org
>
>
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