Cedar Falls and Cutthroat Lake in the North Cascades

The trail to Cedar Falls passes through a burn scar leading to a waterfall on Cedar Creek.  The signs at the trailhead identify the brook trout that can be caught in the creek

Fish available

We park and start up along the creek through the burned-out, regrowing forest.

Starting up along the creek

Reaching Cedar Falls, we walk past the two-tier waterfall and along rapids a bit and then back to the main falls to enjoy the rushing water.

Cedar Falls

We return to the trail head and drive down Highway 20 a few more miles to the trailhead for Cutthroat Lake, following Cutthroat Creek to the lake.  The trail continues past the lake up to Cutthroat Pass (several hours later) where it joins the Pacific Crest Trail toward Canada (and Mexico in the other direction, much farther away).  We're only on our way toward the lake today.

Returning from the falls

Trailhead, watch out for mountain goats

We cross Cutthroat Creek and follow the trail along the creek toward the lake. 

View from the trailhead

Crossing Cutthroat Creek

Along the Trail

Views of Cutthroat Pass

As we approach the lake, we find our way blocked by a fast-flowing stream that is precarious to cross and we declare victory and turn back a short ways before the lake.  Another day (or at lower water levels), we might walk across on the logs, but we (and the others on the trail) turn around at this point today.

Stream blocking the path

We return to the trailhead and then to Winthrop to think about dinner.

Heading back

Following the two creeks, reaching the falls (and, almost the lake) makes a great combination for the day.