It was a sunny and warm Monday when I did this hike (too warm if you ask this wimpy Seattleite). I was gathering information to use to update the trail description, and since I will be doing that soon I will leave the details of this trip report to trail conditions and photos.
The trail is in excellent shape. It's nice and dry, there's no mud, and there isn't anything blocking the trail except for one large fallen branch that's still connected to its tree. It's super easy to either step right over it or walk under it (it's kind of diagonal across the trail), so it doesn't pose any issue, but it also wouldn't be difficult to cut the end off and move it off the trail.
I started from the South Camp day parking lot and went counterclockwise around the loop. This route takes you across the road almost immediately, then into the trees away from the lake for a bit. You are far enough from the road that you can't see it, but you can hear cars driving by. Keep left at a junction with the Cascade Falls trail (it's well marked). Then you cross the road again and continue to the right. At this crossing, you reach the main Cascade Lake recreation area, so there are lots of people, charcoal grills, picnic tables, bathrooms, etc. and it will likely be very busy on a warm summer day. The trail continues past this though so once you pass it you get away from the noise.
Aside from the lakefront area, I saw two other hikers as I looped around the lake, but I'm sure it's much busier on the weekends, especially as the weather gets nice. It's just a simple loop, gaining and losing very little elevation. There are a few places where the trail splits, and you just want to follow the widest trail, not the smaller ones unless you want a detour.
I saw a deer in the trees and heard some fish jumping in the lake. I brought my dog and she had plenty of fun sniffing around (after running away from me in the parking lot - I had to chase her down). Overall it was a great way to kick off some summer hiking.
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