Easy Pass, Thunder Creek — Friday, Jul. 9, 2021

We took four kids over Easy Pass and through the next drainage out to Colonial Campground on Diablo.

Easy Pass had only two places we needed to step on snow and neither demanded any gear. Water was plentiful, even at the top. We didn't have any trouble with the stream crossing at 1.5 mi but we saw some other hikers that felt more cautious.

The trek from the pass to Fisher measured (GPS watch 2 mi) longer than our map mileage (1.5mi) suggested but it is exactly the steep switchback trail you imagine. There are a lot of wildflowers and fantastic views.

The trip from Fisher Camp to Cosho and then to Junction had something between 50 and 100 trees down. The stream crossing past Cosho has a couple of long adjacent logs to cross on and they looked pretty stable and doable for adults. (pictured) One can serve as a handrail for another. I included a picture of these from the far side of the creek. We chose to get wet and ferry the packs and assist the kids across. The water where the bridge is out is slightly above the knee for an adult and pushes noticeably but especially with a trek pole is not troubling. I marked it as difficult only because we had kids with us.

There is another log bridge that is useable but has lost its one-sided handrail a couple miles down the trail. Not a problem, but it can be nervy for inexperienced hikers. (pictured)

There are a lot of places with overgrown trail and blown down for most of the ten miles between Fisher and Junction. Expect slower going. You must also navigate around one washed section that has helpful pink tape flagging. If you're coming from Easy Pass take a hard left up the hill at the tape as it no longer crosses the trail like it was probably intended to. Go up!

Once we got to Junction the trail is highly maintained and smooth sailing. We saw no one between Fisher and Junction if you're looking for solitude. Cosho is a fine camp.