Two old men and a dog hiked this trail from the west the other day. We left Portland and took Hwy 30 (Wind River Road) north to Stabler, then west to Szydlo Rd to FR-54 then northerly to junction of NF-54 and NF-307 (note 307 not marked nor is TH). We found the TH with no problem since I had been there last year and searched for it for an hour. 

The trail is pretty brushy, rocky and rooty most of the way and has a few slide areas. It's also pretty narrow at spots but that's not a big issue. As others have written it's a steep trail for the first mile or so and seems much steeper than it is due to the trail conditions. The flowers are blooming but not plentiful. We were surprised to find some ripe huckleberries but I'd guess it'll be another week before this area has many.

We had lunch shortly after the trail summit while enjoying views of Mt Hood, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens. My friend had to get home by 6PM so we decided to turn back before getting to the lake since it's a steep ascent. 

There were no vehicles at the TH and saw no one on the trail. This is the 4th time I've been up there and have never seen another person so it is a legitimate wilderness - note that no forest pass is required but there is a wilderness permit to complete in a container at the TH (which is a hundred feet or so from parking area through the brush). 

Took my four year old and my seven year old on this hike. It’s a pretty steep uphill climb to get over the ridge before you descend down into the lake basin. The trail is in good shape and traffic was moderate. This is turning into a popular hike. The mosquitoes were on another lever but once you get 1/4 mile into the wood from the trail head they basically go away. 

First: the directions coming from the East (Carson) listed above in the description are not accurate - you need to turn on forest road 5701 BEFORE Government Mineral Springs to start at the Trapper Creek Trailhead #192; the eastern trailhead no longer starts at Iron Mike. 
Second: the trail description above is for the western approach. From the east it is an approximately 10 mile hike (RT), all of which are steep switchbacks until you reach the lake. The trail appeared very lightly used and was overgrown with brush in some sections. It was still a gorgeous hike, with views of Hood, St. Helens, Adams, and Rainier, and the lake itself was beautiful (we even took a swim!). Bring bug spray for the lake but otherwise no bugs along the trail. 

I was excited to see a trip report from a few years ago this time of year, as it is really had to find a good backpack in May. Well, turns out it's still a bit too early for this hike. For all the info, see my blog (link below) but I do think this could be a great backpack once it's cleared out...of snow and blowdowns. If you want to try it now anyway, you really need to give yourself time to get around all the obstacles. Plus the first switchback is hidden by a blowdown and really confusing. (See blog for details.)

This will be brief ... it's hard to see the "entrance" to Trailhead 133.  You actually have to go about 100' up the trail to find the kiosk (partly knocked over, with available wilderness permits).  The USFS directions led me to a road interesection where 54, 5407, and 307 all came together. I highly suggest you have a downloaded map on your phone (AllTrails was pretty good) so you can see where to bend over to the right.  

As soon as I got out of the car, there was an overwhelming sound of mosquitos.  A few million bees and flies came along too, but definitely outnumbered by the mosquitos.  Even getting into and out of the car to grab the pack let a dozen or so inside.

I lathered on repellent.  I put two wipes with repellent around my neck.  Had on long sleeved shirt and pants.  Nothing worked.  The f*****s would go inside my ears, under my sleeves, on a knuckle that must have missed getting a layer of repellant.

I gave up.  I could handle black flies up on Sleeping Beauty, but the incessant whine of the mosquitos, dealing with them flying into ears and eyes - I'll pass.  I'll return when they're dead and before the snow is deep.

But the first mile of the trail was pretty good - a bit overgrown in spots, but very nice.  

No bathroom at trailhead, and if you're going to eat - do it in your vehicle before you get out.