Cutler Basin Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

From the trailhead, the trail follows an old service road for the first half mile or so at a pretty reasonable grade. From the end of this road, the trail steepens significantly and in parts is unfortunately partially saturated by the springs that empty themselves on this side of Ben Lomond, which makes the ascent difficult in places for the first two miles. However, the steep portions are rewarded later by flat meadows and easy grades on the last mile of the trail, where it seems to be slightly better developed.

After the first two miles, there is a fork in the trail where if you continue straight it goes to Cutler Spring. If you take the fork to the left, you'll continue along the Cutler Basin Trail. At this fork, you are afforded amazing views of Willard Peak as well as the giant avalanche chute that sits below it which are worth the trek to this point by themselves. After continuing along the Cutler Basin Trail (the left fork), the trail leaves the exposed hillside and enters a forest as it goes up to connect with the Ben Lomond trail.

When I went on this trail in the early morning in August, we saw eight moose. They seem to really love the area, and if you're lucky you might be able to see some.