Road: Its quite long and has deep pot holes, but you'll be fine in a car that has some extra clearance, you wont need 4x4 but be ready for a bumpy ride in quite a few spots. Once you see the bathroom (closed at the moment) the trail is to the right of it.
Trail: The trail was very well maintained, and is clearly marked. A bit of the trail is on elevated logs/walk way when it gets into not swamp, but wetlands spots along the trail and around the lakes (keep your eyes out for frog sightings) Beware of the round logs with score marks in them, they have retained moisture and are very slippery, they are steps up in several sections. The vast majority of the plank walk ways have metal mesh for traction and are not slippery. Overall the trail was not hard and could be done with kids/pets.
Sights/Views: While the trail is pretty, there is not a lot to see really until you get to the lakes where the views are really beautiful. Upper Ashland and Lower Ashland where a great view, however Lake Access/View was limited to several stretches near the camp grounds.
However Beaver Plant Lake (The very first lake you reach on the hike) Was absolutely stunning with a very nice campground and brand new fire rings and a boardwalk right next to the camp that lead to a small bench out in the water that offers a fantastic view of the lake (see attached photos for the camp and boardwalk. If you love Dragonfly's your in luck there lots of them resting on plants near the water and near the campgrounds. The board walk stretches off to the left, however, several small sections are about 2-4 inches under the water, but are very stable.
Bugs: I didn't wear any bug spray and didn't have any problems really, the only annoyance was several Horse Flys buzzing around my head. However I did see quite a few mosquitos off in the wetland areas, if your camping I would prepare for that, as the campgrounds are near the lakes.
Camp Sites: This was a pleasant surprise to see actual campsites on the hike, I did not camp but the sites where very well maintained and had brand new fire rings in most of them. Also there was a bathroom at Upper Ashland lake, however it was a porty potty. The picture I attached is of the Beaver Plant campsite.
Overall: This trail was great, The view of the lakes where really beautiful, (especially Beaver Plant Lake) The campgrounds also where very nice and I could see myself staying at them in the future. The Hike was not hard and the best part? Only saw one other group on our afternoon hike. The road to get there was a bit challenging and slow going, but very do able, plus it lowers the amount of people. Take the road less traveled as they say, for it has the trails with the least people :)
-Mike
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