This was the first time doing this trail for most members of our group, and it was very memorable! Unfortunately part of that was due to a fairly serious ankle injury that happened on the way down. Thank you again to Tamara, Darcy, SAR dispatch, and everyone else who helped us self-rescue. This is a PSA for always carrying a SAM splint and to consider getting a satellite device.
We camped the night before at Eightmile Campground, which made for an easy start to get to the trailhead that morning. The road from Icicle Rd to the TH was suitable for all vehicles, although rutted in some areas. The areas for day hikers filled up by 7:30am on a Friday morning, and it appeared that cars extended ~1/4 down the road by the time we left. There were still spots for permit overnight hikers at 9am. The vault toilet was out of toilet paper and advise bringing your own.
The trail is quite dusty and fairly rocky past the junction with the Stuart Lake trail. Take it seriously and watch your footing. Water is available in several spots. Our slow descent gave us time to pick up trash along the trail, and we were pleased that there wasn't too much relative to the popularity of this trail. If you lost half a fishing rod, it's at the TH.
The lake has a couple seating areas around the north side. It's better to keep going a little further if you want to have swimming access. The water was very refreshing and it was easy to dry off in the sun. Bugs were moderately annoying, special shoutout to some kind of biting wasp that got one of our group members.
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