Encountered some snowfall this morning on the trail, but nothing was sticking. We started at the Landsburg trailhead and walked west about 2.5 miles before turning around. There was quite a bit of damage from January's storm, but it had all been moved to the side of the trail. The river was beautiful and running pretty high. Would love to come back & walk further when the weather is nicer.

The Cedar River Trail is a 17.3 mile trail with minimal elevation gain from Lake Washington through Renton and Maple Valley ending at Landsburg Park located at Landsburg Road SE (which is between Hobart and Ravensdale). The entire trail, once part of the Milwaukee Railroad converted to a hiking trail, is paved except for the final 4 miles ending at Landsburg Park. There are many locations along the 17.3 mile trail to start a hike.

Beginning the trail at Landsburg Park means beginning the trail with the Cedar River as your companion. Today, the temperature was mild with constant clouds and off-and-on mist ensuring that drippy feeling. The trail was not crowded at all. Most were dog walkers, some on bicycles and one horse and rider. This is an easy-going, family-friendly, walk and talk hike for all abilities.

The goal today was to hike from Landsburg Park to the Testy Chef located off of Maple Valley-Black Diamond Highway and return - approximately 11 miles round trip. Less than a mile from starting the trail, there is an interesting Stream Gaging Station operated by the U.S. Geological Survey. Investigating further, a metal line and pulley is set up that crosses the river at this location and is used to collect data.

The trail crosses the river several times at railroad iron trestles converted to cement bridges. Five or six old telephone poles used years ago along the line, are hidden among the trees along this section of the trail - a mere reminder of the history of this area. There are times the trail pulls away from the river. One will also see homes located not far from the trail but all-in-all, this section of the trail is forested with Cedar River as the highlight.

Regarding wildlife on this drizzley day, only geese and ducks were seen on the river and in the ponds adjacent to the trail - go figure.

  

Trail experiencing some water retention on west side from North end of Lake Wilderness South to Four Corners, with shallow puddles reaching across the entire trail at several points.

Not at all impassable, but continued rain will make these worsen over the course of winter without some grading work.

River really low as all others in area.

Ripe blackberries as well as several cherry trees along trail.

Levee repairs will dissect the trail for about a month just north of Cedar Grove Road. It will be closed form 8/17/09 until 9/11/09 24 hours a day.