Two cars allowed us to make a 14 mi. one-way hike from Twisp River to the Cedar Creek trailhead on the North Cascades Highway. From the trailhead near the end of Twisp River Road, we took North Creek trail #413 three miles, then climbed up a steep slope on trail #476 to Abernathy Pass. On the north side of the pass we dropped even more steeply down tight switchbacks into Cedar Creek valley for the long hike out. No bridges across North Creek, Cedar Creek, or its West Fork, so mid-July high water forced us to ford or perform acrobats at all crossings. Trail #476 is signed as a primitive trail with no maintenance from its southern end over Abernathy Pass and down to Cedar Creek. Near the pass the tread is narrow on a steep slide slope. Nothing dangerous so long as you watch your footing. Lots of brush the entire length of trail 476. No blowdowns. Moderate number of mosquitos. Green Trails maps are confusing about the distance between the North Creek trail and Abernathy Pass. It is 1.3 miles.

Starvation Creek Waterfalls 4/18/07 Starvation Creek State Park, just off of I-84 on the Oregon side of the Columbia gorge offers 4 large waterfalls within a short 2 mile hike. They each have different shapes, characters, and settings. The first is Starvation Falls just east of the park picnic area. It falls 186 ft. with a large volume. Rated 4 stars. Next heading west on the trail (#413 Mt. Defiance) is Cabin Creek, 3 stars. After the trail Heads uphill for a bit comes Hole In The Wall, also 3 stars. Finally after a bit more climbing, with views down to the Columbia River, comes Lancaster Falls, 4 stars. On this rainy, gray day I left my large SLR camera in the car and packed a miniature Olympus in a safe dry parka pocket. I did get several photos of each falls (shielding the camera under my hood). Some spring wildflowers are out in the Gorge. On this trail I saw lots of Bleeding Heart, Solomon’s Seal, Siberian Spring Beauty, and Saskatoon. Other than a 50 ft. muddy section the trail was in perfect condition. The star rating system is from Plumb’s book “Waterfall Lovers Guide to the Pacific NW”. As a reference point, Snoqualmie falls gets 5 Stars, the highest rating. Ratings are of course subjective, but are based on height, volume, beauty and uniqueness. Robert Michelson

My computer just wiped out my report! In case the first part was posted, I'll BRIEFLY summarize then resume. Over a three day weekend, DAR, SIE and I went larching. Up the Twisp River Road, nearly to road's end. Up a dusty trail that runs north up a valley to a creek crossing that, in low water is a piece of cake, but turned back SIE & I in July of 1995 for lack of a bridge over the deep and rushing waters. At a junction, DAR & SIE headed for North Lake while I trudged up 1000' and a mile in the heat (nice breeze, though) to Abernathy Pass. The book mentions scattered larches there - yup, scattered all right, no groves here, but hey, they were the first (last?) larches of the year. By and large, the larch were just past peak, with more orange than green in the yellow (no DAR and SIE, I am not complaining, just commenting!). Back to the junction, the trail bends west, passes a small meadow, winds through more trees and drops to North Lake. Here, finally, were some small groves of larch, glowing in the sun. I took the requisite multi rolls of film, and talked to two horsewomen who themselves were confused over the trail not matching their memories. After the film fix, the three of us hiked, some groaning, back to the trailhead. This does not mean the trail is difficult or long, but more a reflection of the shape some of us were in. This trail is mentioned in the back of the North Cascades book as a ""hot, dry trial."" Hot, not particularly, nor a ""trial."" Most of the route is shaded so it shouldn't be too hot in the summer sun. The trail is moderate in length and elevation gain. It is dusty. It appears few hikers use this trail, so here's a good one for those seeking solitude.

There is snow and mud on the trail at the upper end, otherwise trail is in good condition. But there were too many people. We encountered an abundance of people. Including ourselves we saw no less than 41 people on the trail, either coming or going. Beautiful lake & meadows, but let's spread out a little. There was no one at the lake at 5:00 on Saturday, but we met 1 group of 11 and another individual or so, (lost track)on our way back that were in route to camp at the lake.