WSU Vancouver Cougar Trails

Vancouver

By Craig Romano

The Cougar Trail system traverses the 351-acre WSU Vancouver campus via a series of old roads, paved paths and single-track trails. Explore more than 6 miles of trails leading to a scenic hillside, salmon-spawning creek, cool ravines, big tree groves and old pastures. And while the Cougar Trails attract a fair number of walkers, hikers and runners (especially when classes are in session), it’s possible to enjoy some tranquility. And chances are good too of seeing deer, coyotes and other critters on the sprawling campus.

The WSU trail map shows four suggested loops, color-coded green, orange, blue and red. They’re good for getting acquainted with the trail system. But some of the more interesting trails are unnamed secondary paths branching off of them. The 1.3-mile Green Loop is paved, travels through the heart of campus and climbs Mount Vista’s open slopes for some good views.

The Orange Loop travels 1.3 miles on mostly soft-surface trails through mature forests and a large field, to the WSU barn, the site of a pioneer cabin and an old orchard. The 2.5-mile Blue Loop is completely paved. It follows most of the Green Loop and continues to the Wailing Bell, a 17-foot-high bell that mourns extinct species.

The 4.6-mile Red Loop pretty much loops the campus. It follows paved trails, wood-chipped trails, soft-surface trails and roads and passes many pretty spots and interesting features. Two of the more interesting secondary trails run along and near the banks of Mill Creek. They offer beautiful glimpses of and access to this important tributary of Salmon Creek.

Distance: More than 6 miles of trails

Elevation gain: Up to 250 feet

Highest elevation: 390 feet

Map: vancouver.wsu.edu/about/ cougar-trails

Recommended Guidebook: Urban Trails

Vancouver WA

(Mountaineers Books)

Permit: Parking fees 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round (fees vary, see website for details), no parking fees on weekends

Dogs: Leashed

Trailhead: Follow I-5 north to Exit 7A (exit 36 if coming from I-205) and then head east on NE 134th Street (which becomes NE Salmon Creek Ave) for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto WSU Entrance Road and continue for 0.8 mile to visitor parking and the trailhead.