First time in this area and was amazed by the facilities and trail conditions in both good and bad ways. They have nice pit toilets that are even stocked with hand sanitizer at the trail head. In addition there are portable out houses at the lookout picnic area and both lake camping areas! There are also periodic trail signs, some board walks, nice bridges, and lots of trail stairs. Overall we were super impressed with the amount of work that had been put into such a lightly used trail. More on trail conditions below.
Road - Wasn't too bad and our little electric car did alright. There were a few pot hole sections that we had to plan an angle and go really slow, but most was just washboard and we were able to cruise along at 25ish. Lots of parking. 8 cars there when we pulled in around 10 and only two when we left around 3:30. Is was a misty drizzly Columbus/Indigenous Day Weekend Saturday.
We tracked about 9 miles, including a loop around the reflection pools.
TH to Reflection Pools - The trail was nice but conditions felt erratic. One minute you are trudging down a wide flat gravel trail, then you plunge down into a gully and cross some water, back on a flat trail, then cross a stream with ankle deep mud, back to flat, then a steep slipper scree drop and back up again, trail opens to a cross a random concrete car bridge, and repeat until the reflection pools. It is totally manageable, just know what you are getting into. It might look flat on the map but it is a bit more adventurous. The trail wiggles along the lake with lots of lake views to one side and a mossy cliff to the other.
Up to Lakes - The endless switchbacks were just as mixed as the first section, but different. They start out easy and get increasingly challenging. Many of the most difficult sections had nicely cut stairs and notched out logs. Some spots had you scrambling up muddy slopes and loose rocks. Be prepared and be ready for some big steps. Some of the obstacles were nearly waist height for me and not bad, but a bit more challenging in the wet. Lots of cool fungi, moss, and endless trees.
Little Greider - Beautiful reflection pool with a few campsites, many with fire rings right on the water (I think they are closer than you are allowed but I guess if the park put them there it is ok?). One is even on an elevated wood platform. You can get right down to the water if you walk through the first campsite. Watch your step on the boardwalk, some more and even flip up... This one is nice but keep going, it gets better.
Big Greider - Stunning! The colors and swirling mist were incredible Perfect place on a drizzly day! See a video of the mist around the lake (different than the road video) at the link below: https://youtu.be/lLPvbE2QzkE
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