1st part of the trail is in good shape. Thimble berries abound. New fiberglass bridges are nice and sturdy.

Steep part of the trail is rough and has some trees down in places that can be difficult to get around, but passable. Bring poles if you want to save your knees on the way down.

The wooden bridge over the outflow of Little Greider Lake is rotten in places (buddy's boot went straight through one of the planks) and a fallen limb took out the hand rail in one section. A bit dicey so be careful. My dog didn't want to cross it, but made it. 

LOTS of mosquitos at the upper lake, but surprisingly no bites. They didn't make for a pleasant lunch, though. Trail is getting a bit overgrown at the top; bear bell is a good idea to prevent any surprises. We did spot a black bear on our way back down, but he made sure to avoid us. 

We arrived at the TH around 8:30a on a Sat morning. There were 2 other cars. There are 4 toilets that were clean and well stocked.

The first part of this trail is wide with 2 metal bridges. There is a 3rd metal bridge that says it is still under construction, but it looks usable. Cross at your own risk.

Once the trail kicks up, the path narrows and the trail gets rougher. This part of the trail is in need of maintenance. There are a couple of places with downed trees where the options to get around aren't ideal.

We saw a handful of other groups on the trail. If you prefer solitude and don't mind a rough trail, this is the trail for you!

There were some mosquitos around the lake. We had a breeze which kept them away, but if you are sensitive, I'd bring repellant.

Trail was a bit muddy and rocky, started out flat and downhill came across WTA work crew. One bridge is out but WTA was putting in a new one under construction so had to navigate one river. at 2 miles it starts the 40 switchbacks, which was brutal, rocky, muddy and rough going. Came to lots of trees down on the trail and had to make our own trail just to get by one slide. Had to go under two more trees that had fallen on the trail and another mud slide that took out a switch back. Came across another bridge going up to the upper lake that is in pretty bad shape one end the boards were rotten really bad one was broken by a hiker going across. Arrived at the lake went down near the lake to the three campsites. First one was very wet and muddy the second one down tree over the campfire pit. The third was ok but finding a flat stop was difficult for me. My boys found a flat spot away from the fire pit. The fishing was ok my son caught one the first night and two the next day.  The bugs were viscous at first but after bug spray a little less. The view of the cliffs was awesome with all the waterfalls coming down. Coming back down have poles it will save your knees and thighs.  It was still pretty bad coming down had to slide on my bum to get down from a slide near a tree. Coming back was no picnic either a 10% grade up hill was brutal too after whipping my bum.... I guess I'm getting old....Overall we had a great bonding time and would do it again. 

Solid hike with great views and plenty of parking!

Overall, this trail starts out flat for the first 2 miles and then you gradually climb switch backs for the next 2 to 2.5 miles. Toward the top you will come across a lot of blow downs. This area gets pretty difficult to navigate but there are some new social trails around the affected area. Just watch your footing. No snow anywhere on the trail and bugs are not bad. Additionally, there are some flowering plants at the moment.

The road is in really good shape, and there is a large parking lot too! DNR looks to be rebuilding a bridge at the moment on the lower portion of the trail.

My garmin clocked it at 

9.23 miles

2126 ft gained 

Gate and the trail is open. Several blow downs in the switchbacks but none are to hard to get around. Some mud but no snow.