Per the last trip report, the road is definitely still closed, about 4 miles from the trailhead. Wish I had checked the Forest Service route conditions page before driving out there! 🤷🏼‍♀️

My wife attempted this with our kids today and reported that the road was closed. Thought it would be worth updating here. 

The road is in great shape. We saw older cars and even a minivan past the tree in the road. I've attached a picture. Most cars should be able to make it over this, but it's not a far walk, a mile at most, from the turn around point to the Independence Lakes TH if you decide to not risk it. 

With a weather report of clouds, we started off to a fairly sunny, smoke filled day. Taking our time along the trail, and eating ripe berries along the way, we ran into Jim and Sandy. We talked for a good 30-40 minutes, learning about their history as Trail Blazers and Jim's passion for fishing and reaching back country lakes. I feel gratitude for having met them and aspire to be hiking at 86 years old, WITH a pack raft, like Jim!

The weather changed on us and we reached the saddle above North Lake when it started raining on us. We took a lot of moody photos, ate lunch under some trees, then started heading back to the TH. It was sunny and warm by the time we got back to the car. This is a great cloudy day option for a day hike. 

Took the dog out for a quick hike to Independence Lake. As noted in other posts, do not go to the Deer Creek trailhead. Keep going past it to Coal Lake road. Then go all the way to the end of the road. With the huge tree down in the middle of the road, you really want a high clearance vehicle. Arrived at 11am to around 20 cars at the trailhead. Hike to Independence Lake isn’t bad. Numerous campsites and outdoor privy located here. Headed up and called it a day at the ridge rather than going down to North Lake. Saw around 10 groups on the trail. On the way back we spent some time at Independence and let the dog get the last of his energy out. Great trail, but be mindful of the 1200’ of gain in 1 mile from Independence up to the ridge. Trail was very clean - let’s keep it that way!

The road near the trailhead has a significant hump. A log came down in a narrow avalanche chute and it was just graveled over. I think you’d need a vehicle with high clearance to clear it. We didn’t so we park below it and walked the remaining 15 minutes up the road to the trailhead. The trail is steeper than the trail description suggests, particularly to the second lake. Independence Lake is pretty and has a nice camping spot next to a stream. There was only one other car at the trailhead on a sunny Thursday.