Cedar Lake Way, Slab Camp Creek and Gray Wolf River — Friday, Jun. 23, 2023

My wife and I started at Slab Camp trailhead, down to Camp Tony and up to Gray Wolf camp for night 1 with only one 12-14 inch straddle tree that has only a few roots holding it into the steep hillside. I pushed on it hard a couple times and seemed stable.It was I think about a mile from Gray Wolf camp. Had Gray Wolf to our selves.  Day 2 to went to Falls Camp. A mile from Gray Wolf the river is crossed. The railing is broken and missing in the middle. Last year when we crossed in May the water was running hard the complete width and was pretty intimidating for us in the no rail section. Water flow this time was much reduced and an easy trip across. About 10 minutes out of Camp Ellis is a straddle tree then four large trees and limbs blocking the trail for a good distance in each direction making a walk around impracticable. With our folding saw we cut and pulled a path next to the trail that goes over one tree and under two others. With your pack off its only a few minute delay. We found a can of bear spray laying in the trail at the blockage and it was still there two day later on our return so we packed it out. WTA had Deer Park to Falls Camp completely clear just last year. When you walk past cut trees big and small, thank the work crews for making the trails usable. There were a few bugs in the evening at Falls Camp but some bug lotion seemed to take care of them. After morning coffee and M&M's in the meadow, sun rising over the trees and a bunny hopping by it was off to Cedar Lake. Up the meadow on the right and into the trees starts the trail. It seems to have been built before the idea of switch backs. Other than the scree and marshy meadow, it seemed straight up. Steeper than Three Forks. The traverse across the marshy meadow was OK. There is trail where it is solid and disappears when soggy. Just keep on the same line and you'll see the trail re-emerge. Turn left when you hit the trees and a 100 feet or so you'll see the trail on the right and a notched log leading you to the river. The trail continues on the the other side where there is another notched log. You can see the trail. The river is wide, not moving quickly and didn't make it over our boots during the rock hopping. More vertical trail brings you to the lake. It took us 3 hours for the 2 miles. We had the beautiful lake, blue sky's and surrounding mountains streaked with snow to our selves. No bugs. Coffee at the foot of the lake before heading home. While the trail past the river crossing is getting overgrown with blue berries and other low plants (about waist deep), the tread from start to finish is in pretty good shape and always there. It is a primitive trail so there are a few tree features to negotiate. Nothing dangerous. The trip across the scree has a thin but solid lip that gave us no problems. Water is plentiful the entire way. Three days up, two days down. A great hike.