This trail is definitely no joke, comparable to Mailbox but very quiet. At times it feels like hiking up a cliff but it is not really a scramble, just really really steep. Hiked with two other people. Some minor mud/water crossings which are pretty straightfoward. A lot of nice views, some great spots to get in the creek. The lake itself is beautiful and clear, this is a great swimming spot.
We did have a member of our group slip and break their ankle running down the trail, so be very cautious. A lot of thanks to the first responders with Seattle Mountain Rescue who helped us down the mountain (fortunately he was able to mostly hobble under his own power a lot of the way.) This trail is not easy but the lake is worth the trip. (Not worth breaking limbs though.)
My GPS said 4000 feet total of elevation gain. Close to the lake you have to come down from a ridge - the ridge seemed like at least 500 feet, again, basically straight down to the lake.
Huckleberries were almost ripe at the beginning of the trail and hadn't appeared yet at higher elevation.
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