Red Town Trail leads in the footprints of old miners

Location: Newcastle/Bellevue.

Length: About 1.5 miles round-trip; connects to additional trails.

Level of difficulty: Level-to-moderate dirt/gravel trail.

Setting: While so much land in the Seattle area is being developed, this former coal-mining company town in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park has nearly vanished. From the parking lot, follow the signs up the hill. After three-quarters of a mile, where the Red Town trail becomes another trail, retrace your steps and take the Cave Hole trail a short distance to reach the Red Town Creek trail. A kiosk near the former site of the town's water supply displays old photos and a map of the mining district during its heyday. Continue just up the hill to the Military Road trail to head back down to the parking lot.

Highlights: The wooded hillside above this trail was the site of Red Town, named for its red-painted houses primarily inhabited by Finnish miners and their families. When the large coal-mining companies pulled out in the 1920s, all of the more than 600 wooden houses (with about 85 in Red Town) were sold and moved or dismantled for materials. Only one original miner's house remains in the area, along with two highly modified structures.

Facilities: Portable toilet at trailhead. Pick up a map of the area's many trails at the parking lot kiosk.

Restrictions: No bikes. Pets on leash. Know what to do if you encounter a cougar or black bear. Due to safety hazards from historic mining activities, stay on the trails and keep away from any mine openings.

Directions: From Interstate 90 eastbound or westbound, take Exit 13 and head south up the hill on Lakemont Boulevard Southeast. In 3 miles, at the hairpin turn, turn left with caution into the parking lot at the Red Town trailhead.

For more information: 206-296-4232 or visit www.metrokc.gov/parks/. An excellent guide to the history of the area is "The Coals of Newcastle: A Hundred Years of Hidden History," by Richard and Lucile McDonald.

— Cathy McDonald, special to The Seattle Times