*Lake Serene Trail Conditions*
Snow/Ice
While there were patches of snow as early as the parking lot, it doesn't really impact the trail until after the junction with the falls. Snow was more or less permanent in the last 1.25 miles, but (and this is liable to change dramatically after the next freeze cycle for morning hikers) footing was largely not an issue. Much of the snow even offered the gentle crunch and caress of reasonably fresh powder, and the only (minor) postholing I encountered was on the way up to Lunch Rock. It would be prudent to pack spikes, and poles really added confidence to my descent, but neither were strictly necessary. There were only a couple groupings of ice that were truly diabolical: invisible ice covering the rocks of the Lower East Cascade crossing, a compacted icy layer of snow on the stairs (which more closely resemble a slide) down to Lake Serene, and the goon squad terrorizing our neighborhoods, towns and airports.
Fixtures
Although there is damage to a number of wooden structures and stairs throughout the trail, none caused major issues. The bridge toward Lunch Rock is intact and only lightly snow covered.
My report on Bridal Veil Falls contains pictures of some notable, but passable obstacles (washout, mudslide) in the early stages of the trail. Copying the descriptions below:
The Road and Parking
It's a short approach from the highway, and although there are some girthy potholes up to and including the parking area, they can all be maneuvered around. Parking was nearly full at high noon on a sunny spring Friday, mostly empty at 4pm when I left. Bathrooms are closed (and the summit bathroom is seasonal. Plan ahead.
*Notable Early Trail Obstacles*
Washouts
There are two major washouts (well, one washout, twice) with water actively coursing over where the trail used to be. These are both navigable, and without moistening your socks, by sand bar hopping. Notably, for the latter crossing of the main washout, aim for the granite rock at the base of the bank. Everything else is unstable and may send you right back into the water. There appears to be a tree bridge here, but it didn't seem to connect cleanly to the trail on either end, and I didn't want to gamble with the moss on it. Pictures below.
Mudslide
A small portion of the trail appears to have been obliterated by a mudslide about half way to the falls. It's the worst of both sticky and slippery, so be mindful of footing as you work through to the established path. Picture Below.
Blowdowns
There are numerous blowdowns throughout both the falls and the lake trails. Most of them in the earlier sections have been chainsawed up by some hero or another. We may not all be chainsaw-wielding trail saviors, but we can all help in small ways to improve the experience for everyone (not the least of which is packing out trash). Many parts of the trail are cluttered by ankle biting bits and branches left over from the larger clearing efforts. If everyone who hiked this trail took 10 seconds to move one such hazard off to the side of the trail, it would be clear by the end of the weekend.
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