Trail of the Cedars

Trail of the Cedars is a 0.9-mile loop from Avalanche Picnic Area through old-growth forest beside Avalanche Creek. It gains and loses about 83 feet, and allow 30 to 45 minutes if you stop at the gorge. The route is designated wheelchair accessible, with a raised boardwalk and paved sections. Come for a gentle walk among big cedars and a close look at moving water; it is not a summit hike or a wide-open mountain viewpoint. If you want a pleasant short stop without committing much of the day, this one earns its place.

Start at Avalanche Picnic Area and follow the path beside the creek. The eastern leg uses raised boardwalk through western red cedar and western hemlock, with ferns and moss across the forest floor. About halfway around, a footbridge crosses above Avalanche Creek and looks down into the lower gorge. The return uses a paved path past Avalanche Creek Campground before coming back to the road. That change from boardwalk to pavement gives the loop a little variety, while the footing and modest climbing keep the walk easy. Interpretive exhibits along the route add context if you want to linger over the forest.

The gorge is the walk's defining stop: water has cut a narrow channel through the rock, and the footbridge gives you a view into it without adding a separate climb. A short, steep spur from the nearby Avalanche Lake Trail junction descends toward the creek bank; it is outside the loop and not part of its 0.9 miles. The Avalanche Lake Trail continues for 2.3 miles one way, so taking it turns this quick outing into a much longer hike. If the full loop feels like more walking than you want, you can see the gorge from the bridge and return the way you came instead of taking the paved leg.

Western red cedars and western hemlocks are the main reason the walk feels different from a simple path through the woods. Some cedars here are estimated to be more than 500 years old; the largest reported trees reach around 100 feet, with trunks several feet across. Take time to look at the bark, roots, and the fern-and-moss floor rather than hurrying between the creek and the bridge. American dippers are associated with the creek, so pause and listen near the water. The trees and moving water are the draw; this is a close-up nature walk, not a route for expansive views.

Use the parking area at Avalanche Picnic Area off Going-to-the-Sun Road. It fills during busy periods, and the trail can feel crowded, so an early start gives you a better chance of a quieter walk and a parking space. A vault or composting toilet and interpretive exhibits are available by the trailhead; food and drinking-water service are not listed for this small trail area, so bring what you need. Road access is seasonal, so check its status before driving to Avalanche. Pets are not allowed on park trails. Stay on the boardwalk and bridge around the creek and gorge, where the water is powerful and the edges fall away.