Arrived at 10am to a mostly empty parking lot. Toilets were clean and had TP. The trail itself is uneventful. Dry and dusty.  There were quite a few people hiking of all sorts of abilities.  It never felt crowded.  I hiked clockwise and made my side trip to Dewey Lake near the end of my hike.  I had hiked the loop before but never down to the lake. It was a lovely choice to check out the lake because I found a nice secluded place to have lunch and did not encounter another human being for 45 minutes.  I saw 6 hikers total on this trail. It was perfect for the solitude.  The hike back up the Naches Peak Loop is no joke but was easier and less time than I thought.  Back on the loop trail I had a lovely chat with a pair of hikers about why we hike. After our chat, I steadily made my way back to the TH. I arrived about 2:30.  5.5 miles RT, 2 litres of water and some snacks. The parking lot was nearly full when I left but there were still some spots to park. 

trail was nice and clear, how ever there was a haze from smoke due to the wildfires.

trail. was nice and dry.

I know this trail is currently closed. We checked with USFS prior to starting and they said we were good to go since the fire was south of our itinerary at that time.Just to add to previous report. Water is available at 2nd pond along with an excellent camp. It is not "pond" like water as I have stayed here several times and had excellent results. Maybe it is spring fed as there are several natural springs in this region. Also bugs were not an issue -frogs, dragonflies and birds seem to be doing a good job and there is usually a breeze on the ridge. Water at 1st pond is low and much poorer water quality.

Cougar lakes has multiple campsites but the spit is closed to camping for reforestation. Please respect this. Trail to upper meadows is very brushy and rough at times but well worth the climb.

Only saw people during our hike from American Lake to Dewey Lake so 5 days of solitude. Nice camp 1/4 ml past upper American River ford.  As stated lots of blowdowns from dewey to mesatchee. Just as you start down the final set of switch backs past the 2nd waterfall One giant that looks like you need to belly crawl under and has another smaller tree headed downhill next to it - best to head down off trail and you will pick up the trail.

Hiked from Tipsoo lake parking lot to Dewey with two dogs.  The smoke from the fires obscured views of Mt. Rainier but the wildflowers are at their peak and there were very few people there. (Very unusual) Arrived at parking lot at 8:30 and reached the lake at 11:00.   Had a nice swim and returned back to the car.  Mosquitos and flies were pretty bad but a good mosquito repellent will make them less bothersome. I put some natural repellent on the dogs as the flies were unforgiving. Fantastic hike.