Main parking full at 8:30am, but the closest overflow was empty. Granite Lakes trail to the bridge is wide, easy grade. After the bridge it’s a bit brushy to the Thompson Lake fork and beyond.
Stream crossings weren’t too deep but over the toe of my boot at times. Intermittent snow starting shortly above Granite Lake fork, continuing to banks of Thompson Lake, occasionally tricky, slick footing in precarious areas including ok either side of blow downs. Some post holing in places. At least 3 large blow downs had to straddle/climb over. Deep mud and water over the trail in places, especially as you approach the lake.
The last half mile from the ridge down to Thompson lake is slippery with mud, snow, and roots and extraordinarily steep (approx 500-600 feet of elevation in half mile). No spikes, but with poles I ended up on my booty twice and I saw two other people do the same. Snow was too intermittent to make spikes worthwhile just be prepared to fight it some. Probably all gone in a week or so. Only saw 4 other people on the trail once past the Granite Lake split.
Clocked 12 miles without a detour to Granite Lake.
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