Arrived at trailhead in light rain around 915am. Only one other vehicle in the lot. Sad to see the privy "locked for the season" at the trailhead, with lots of garbage and feces.
Our initial intent was to hike only to the Falls so we left lunch in the car and only took 2 oranges and a water bottle. Later, we contemplated going all the way to Lake Serene, but 2 oranges alone would make for very short rations.
It was just as well because this was the first serious hike on difficult terrain for me (65 y.o.) since my total knee replacement in January. We ended up hiking about a half mile past the falls, climbing over the gigantic cedar tree carnage blocking the trail. This was a bit tricky with the wet conditions making the tree trunk very slippery.
Before we even saw the pile of debris, the air was suddenly full of the aroma of cedar. The smell of forest death was never so sweet. I had remembered there were some giant cedars next to some switch backs just as the trail got steeper and wanted to say hello to my old friends again. This made a good turn around spot.
On our way back, we climbed up the .5 mile side trail to the middle of the Bridal Veil Falls. Cold air rushing down from the lake and the snowy peaks above! Saw about a dozen parties total - perhaps 30 people?
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