Cougar Peak was another summit for the day I thought there may be better access on than there really was. Instead it was not much better than Yainax Butte which I did earlier in the day. There is a trail or road going up that can make for a good hike. It is an unusual mountain of piled shale. We drove further up than most would choose to. Steep drop off, brush in narrow road, driving on large flat shale, and 3 point switchbacks. My designated SOTA driver, Robin N7HAP, goes the extreme sometimes! There are interesting remnants of an old lookout made out of the mountains shale slabs so parts of it are camouflaged but stair step down to different sections. Spectacular view. I would have spent more time up here if we were not short on time to get off the mountain and find a camping spot.
Just a few trees but obviously plenty of rock. I set up at the lookout foundation.
Self explanatory on a map on how to get there from Cottonwood Meadows Lake area from FS RD 3724.
