A long unpaved road to the trailhead with some potholes, but not too bad. A well maintained outhouse at the trailhead. The trail was ~2 miles relatively flat hiking followed by 43 switchbacks (we counted)! Mosquitos were a nuisance towards the beginning, but not bad up by the lakes. There were a couple fallen trees we had to duck pretty low to get under, and a number of places up on the switchbacks where the trail had washed out and was rerouted (marked with bright plastic ties) which required some scrambling. Some big steps up and of course back down. Hiking poles helped. Lots of beautiful and large fungi. The lakes were so foggy we couldn’t see much, but beautiful nonetheless and well worth it. Several campsites up top. Our separate step-counting devices each counted 9+ miles (9.4 and 9.6 respectively) to the big lake and back to the trailhead.

I ran 5.5 miles of this trail (out and back) so turned around when elevation started kicking in. I really like this hidden gem of a hike so close to folks living in north king county areas. Trail was well maintained and not many people on the trail.

It’s neat that the trail is actually close to all the most popular trails on mountain loop hwy in proximity, so it feels very remote but really easy to get to.

A really wonderful day hike offering a nice workout, three lakes, solitude and surprising quiet without even much airplane noise.

We started on the trail about 10 AM and enjoyed lunch about 1 PM on the convenient log sofas at the outlet of Big Greider Lake. Our dining companions included Dippers, Stellar Jays and a curious weasel who peeked at us from under a log.

Be sure to look for the "storm trooper" rock up on the west wall rising over Big Greider Lake.

Fruit lovers can find huckleberries and wild blueberries beginning to ripen.

The WTA trail description proved very accurate except one spot was a bit confusing. At the Spada lake overlook with a sign (adorned by a large wasp nest) you will find two unmarked trails heading from the sign. With your back to Spada lake take the right hand (near trail) to continue on to Greider lakes.

A small landslide took out one of the switchbacks about halfway up the but a revised trail has been blazed and marked with plastic ribbon and can be negotiated with just a bit of care.

Hiked/camped at Greider lake. Trail was well-marked and established sites by the lake were nice. There are some older blow-downs on the trail in the switchbacks and a couple places where wood footbridges/stairs were starting to go but otherwise the trail was in good shape. Switchback are mostly shaded, but still hot in the summer. 

Some mosquitos up by the lakes, and despite the presence of berries largest wildlife observed was only a chipmunk. Plenty of birdsong, lots of water bugs.

Might be a good hike for ankle support and hiking poles. Dogs used to hiking should be fine, but we did have smaller dogs in our party that had trouble with the length and the summer heat that had to turn back.

The road to the parking lot is dusty no matter how fast one goes down the dirt road, and it narrows to cross bridges but otherwise there are the normal potholes to navigate. 

There were eleven cars in the parking lot at 0930, with most being day hikers.  As the description says, the first two miles are relatively flat, but once you pass the trailhead sign the incline begins.  It isn't a soul crushing incline, but it will be felt the following days. 

At Little Greider Lake there was only once campsite in use and at Big Greider Lake there was no one camping.  The big lake was calm and quiet with occasional day hikers taking a dip.  The bugs were annoying, but if the breeze came through it wasn't bad. 

By days end there was one other group at Big Greider Lake.  The following morning was a bit chilly and overcast with the lake forming a cloud as well, that was really fun to watch.  

All in all, this is a great hike with almost no crowds and spectacular views.