CEDAR LAKE WAY TRAIL

Abandoned trail; no longer maintained 
Length 3.0 mi/4.8 km Access Upper Graywolf Trail 
USGS Map Weflesley Peak Agency Otympic National Park

This well-beaten way trail begins near Falls Shelter (3900 ft/1189 m), on the 
Upper Graywolf Trail, and climbs through the meadow behind the structure. Near 
the upper end, where Cedar Creek tumbles down a steep slope, Mount Deception 
(7788 ft/2374 m). the highest peak in the eastern Olympics, can be viewed above 
the snowfields at the head of the Graywolf River. The trail then enters the forest, 
where many trees arc adorned with fancy burls.

The trail sidehills through the timber, then crosses a scree slope and climbs 
sharply, switchbacking a half-dozen times, before ascending an avalanche track 
overgrown with Alaska cedar and slide alder. Here the route parallels Cedar Creek, 
and one has good views of The Needles.

As it crosses a meadow where it winds through groves of subalpine forest, the trail 
traverses marshy spots. The cliffs above, to the right, are masked by thick growths 
of Alaska cedar. The trail can be lost easily at the far end of this meadow, where it 
turns left and crosses Cedar Creek below a waterfall. The cascade, narrow at the top, 
widens as it spreads out over ledges.

The trail climbs through the forest east of the creek and comes out into another marshy 
area — a mix of subalpine forest, meadow, little streams, and brush-covered terrain. 
However, the country gradually becomes more open and rocky, and the trees are now mostly 
subalpine fir. In late summer the grassy openings arc covered with masses of lupine 
and gentian.

Breaking out into a big meadow surrounded by peaks and ridges, where streams cascade 
down the slopes, the trail ascends to Cedar Creek, then crosses the stream and climbs 
about a hundred yards to the outlet of Cedar Lake (3.0 mi/4.8 km; 5280 ft/1609m).

This scenic, mile-high lake lies in a bowl, the lower part of an old glacial cirque. 
With an area of 21 acres, it is one of the largest subalpine lakes in the Olympics and 
is popular with fishermen because it contains rainbow trout. The outlet is at the 
northwestern end, where the lake is bordered by a fringe of subalpine firs, and here 
the wind often howls in the trees. A good campsite is located at this point. The 
lake's beautiful, clear green waters reflect the surrounding slopes. On the north 
side the lake is bordered by grassy meadows that sweep back to groves of tall subalpine 
firs. Apparently, the lake's depth does not fluctuate much but remains more or less 
constant, sustained by the melting snowficlds. The peaks south of the lake comprise 
the eastern part of Cameron Ridge. Highest is The Pup (7073 ft/2156 m).

Although the way trail ends at Cedar Lake, hikers may return to the Upper Graywolf 
Trail by using Cedar Pass (6000 ft/1829 m) southeast of the lake. The route crosses 
heather meadows. The view from the ridge is splendid — one can ser The Needles, Mount 
Deception, and Mount Mystery rising beyond the headwaters of the Graywolf. The Upper 
Graywolf Trail climbing to Graywolf Pass is also visible.

The route down to the Upper GraywoIf Trail traverses slopes covered with heather and 
boulders and goes by three subalpine lakes. Blocks of ice often float in the upper or 
largest lake throughout the summer. The route reaches the Upper Graywolf Trail about 
a mile below Graywolf Pass.