NF-4060 (Coal Lake Road) is open and passable, albeit a little rough and narrow in a few spots. Pot holes of all sizes were scattered along the way up to the Coal Lake trailhead, but nothing too deep to cause concern or swallow a Prius. The last 1/3 mile of road past the the Coal Lake trailhead was the most narrow, with brush encroaching on the road in spots. Drive with care here, or park at the Coal Lake trailhead and hike the short distance.
The toilet at the Coal Lake trailhead was open and stocked. There was no privy at the Independence Lake trailhead.
On this cloudy Monday, I was the first car at the Independence Lake parking area at 10 a.m., and my welcome committee was a few mosquitos looking for a free meal. One other car was there when I returned to the trailhead at 1:30 p.m.
The hike to Independence Lake was uneventful with an easy to follow trail, but with a few big steps up and down and one tree blow down (easy to step over).
Past Independence Lake, the trail narrows, becomes a little brushy and heads steeply uphill. I encountered snow fields beginning at about 4500 feet elevation, shortly after crossing a small stream. The snow was firm and well consolidated, which made for relatively easy hiking such that I didn't feel the need to put on microspikes, but beware of snow bridges and tree wells. The biggest challenge during the climb up the ridge was trying to stay on the trail - - with the trail often covered by snow, very little foot traffic to indicate a pathway, and several blow downs to navigate.
Once at the ridge at about 4950 feet, I followed a side spur trail south for about 0.1 mile, first initially through woods and then across the snow, for some nice views on this cloudy day.
The snow seemed more extensive for the hike from the ridge down to North Lake, with no clear boot path or footsteps through the snow. I often referenced my GPS to help stay "on trail", but eventually decided to turn around after the steepness of the snow and lack of a defined trail was more than I wanted to manage on this day. Best for me to save North Lake for a snow-free trail day.
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