[yew]

There were about 10 cars at the trailhead. The trailhead sign looks like it's from the 1980s and has some impressive shotgun blast holes. The trail to Cedar Falls is fine besides a little brush. We saw about 5 groups of dayhikers, some with little kids. There was 1 couple south/above the falls but no one else on this overnight trip. There was 1 blowdown on the trail in between the falls and where me and my dog and camped at 5000' elevation near the Middle Fork Cedar Creek. The trail could use some minor brushing out through here, especially where the trail passes through riparian strips of alder.

That evening we followed a faint intermittent game trail or old trail along the Middle Fork to a buggy swamp. Nice 2+ hour evening stroll.


Next day we hiked up to Abernathy Pass. There are about 4 clumps of blowdowns that can be climbed over. The trail up to the pass is brushy but fine to follow. There's a minor mineral soil slough just below the pass that could use some shovel work. From Abernathy Pass we hiked off-trail up to the 7000' knob mentioned in Manning & Spring's guidebook.


It was partly cloudy here but we saw clouds north in the Pasayten. There was a little bit of snow on peaks above 8000' to the north. We didn't see a soul on the hike out on Sunday. It was not sunny but overcast.


We bushwhacked down to the falls above Cedar Falls on the way back.


Considering how so many trails are in bad shape these days, some brush and 5 blowdowns is relatively good and passable. Just a few bugs in evening. At dropped down to about 38 degrees F at night.

Mountain bikes are allowed on this trail to Abernathy Pass and it is listed in 2 mountain biking guidebooks. Riding to the Middle Fork may be feasible for determined cyclists but riding up to Abernathy Pass seems like it would not be much fun or even feasible due to steepness, tight switchbacks and brush.