Road to the trailhead is rutted so can be pretty jarring in places but should be passable in any vehicle. Fortunately, the unpaved section of the journey is relatively short. The forest road number signs, if they exist at all, are very well hidden. There are two very credible looking side roads along the unpaved section that could easily tempt you into going the wrong way. I've made that mistake on both of them over the years. The way I remember the correct route is, "don't go left" at the first junction and then at the second one, which follows shortly, "don't go right." After you "don't go right," the signed parking area is very close by. Since you will be going the opposite direction on the way out, follow the same advice: first, "don't go left," then next, "don't go right" and you will be back to the paved road leading to I-90 quickly.
Parking lot was half full when I arrive at 8:00 on a sunny Sunday morning and was full with cars parked down the road when I returned. However, the trail never really felt busy. I encountered most people as I was climbing out of the Margaret Lake basin. Only a couple folks were at the lake when I arrived there. They were jumping into the lake from a large rock on the south end, probably at least a 15 foot plunge. I didn't go in, but heard them say the water wasn't too cold. After climbing back up the ridge from Margaret Lake I decided to push on to Twin Lakes. I only say a couple groups of hikers along this section and there was no one at Twin Lakes when I was there.
The trail is overall in good condition but there are a number of fallen trees over the trail and some of them appear to have been there quite a while. None are difficult to get over, and one, under. Trail is narrow and overgrown in places with vegetation encroaching from the side, especially on the descent to Twin Lakes. The descent to Twin Lakes is probably about 100' more in elevation than the descent to Lake Margaret and the trail a bit rougher.
Sunscreen is a good idea on this one as there are a number of exposed areas with little to no shade, including the road walk up from the parking lot to the trailhead, the initial hike through the old clear cut and good sections of the descent to Twin Lakes. I indicated that bugs "were not too bad," and for me, they weren't. However, I did apply bug spray in the parking lot before setting out and again at both Lake Margaret and Twin Lakes. Had I not had this, I'm certain my rating would not have been as generous.
Just under 8 1/2 miles round trip and 2,500' elevation gain on this route.
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