Arrived at the TH around 9am on Saturday; the lot was full and we had to park 1/2 mile down the road, which I was not surprised by given it was a picture perfect PNW day. The toilet at the TH was clean and well stocked in the morning.
The bridge at ~0.8 miles was a great spot for a snack break for our kids, ages 6 and 8. There are several viewpoints along the trail and they just keep getting better the higher up you go in elevation - the views on a clear day are worth every step.
We did not bring swim attire but once we were at the lake we wished we had. The water was cold but there were several people swimming. People dispersed themselves around the lake so it didn't feel too crowded.
It was hot and pretty exposed for a significant portion of this hike. Sunscreen is a must! The bugs were a bit annoying, especially if you stopped moving, but not the worst we have seen.
Overall, it took us 6.5 hrs total with a 6 and 8 year old, which includes an hour lunch break at the lake, several 10 minute snack/rest breaks throughout the hike, and the extra mile to and from the TH from where we parked.
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