Started hike at 2:30 PM Parking lot pretty full but 6-7 open spaces and people leaving. Trail not too busy. Bikes, motorized scooters, and walkers but not crowded. Be careful as a lot of bikers don't alert you or use a bell so you may not hear them approaching from behind. Very pretty views and smooth trail. The path off trail to Punchbowl and the bridge are very nice but do tend to get crowded with swimmers and people lounging enjoying the views. This was the most populated area on our hike. Great weather. Saw a few rough-skinned newts crossing the trail on the way back. They are pretty cute with a bright orange underside. Don't touch them as they produce a toxin that is harmful if ingested and can cause skin irritation. 

If you are looking for an easy hike, this should definitely be on your list. From the parking lot, you walk up a paved path before it evens out into a flat path. Would highly recommend the little cut off after about a mile to Devil‘s Punchbowl. If you walk an additional couple minutes, you hit a bridge that goes over a little cove. Not only are the views of the mountains. Stunning, you can swim in the little area, which we did. It was a beautifully sunny day, and the views plus swimming were memorable. 

I was the first one in the parking lot this morning at 6:50 a.m.  I walked for 90 minutes, turned around and walked back, 8.15 miles total.  On the outward bound leg I saw 6 people, 4 on bicycles.  On the return I saw 70, almost all between the parking lot and The Devil's Punchbowl.

As a rule, I always pick up some litter when hiking.  Today, I cleaned up a bunch of trash in the parking lot before I even started walking.  I guess the squad that patrols the trail picking up the little bags of dog crap people leave behind also does the parking lot, and they took the weekend off.  Anyhow...

There is one pit toilet at the east trailhead, and while there was some trash on the floor, it still had TP.  The trail was in great shape, except for some litter.  Hikers need to keep their eyes open for ebikes flying down the trail.  Question: If people don't even bother to peddle, doesn't that make it a motorcycle?

There were lots of smiles on the trail, and the temperature was perfect for hiking. The lake looked beautiful, with very low clouds hanging over the western end.

When I finished walking at 10 a.m., the lot was almost full.

Finally got around to checking this one out. It was a nice paved road and paved trail (except for a few hundred feet at devils punchbowl). But it was a zoo of people and parking was a disaster so this was a one and done for me.

Save this one for the off-season!

Lots of people on bicycles.