Switchback City! Got to the TH around 7 AM on a Sunday with only 3 other cars in the lot - glad we did, as when we finished around 1 the TH was full. Bathroom at TH was nice and clean.
Can't speak for the views on this trail, as we hiked up and back down in thick fog - we did catch a view of some mountain goats on the slopes below us at one point though! Will say - bugs are probably pretty rough on this trail normally, but hiking it on such a wet day we at least got lucky on that front.
Come ready to deal with a lot of switchbacks - the uphill slog can feel relentless at times but the sense of accomplishment you'll get from making it to the top is well worth it. There's one tree down across the trail as far as I can remember, but some creative straddle/hopping will get you over it. One other spot with a bit of a washout look to it, but it's easy to cross if you keep your eyes in front of you.
The switchbacks are worst for the first half or so of the hike, before you enter a meadow area. You're still going steadily uphill, but the change in scenery makes it feel much less brutal.
No good sources of water on this trail, so come prepared and with quite a lot - my GPS recorded the hike at 9.2 miles round trip and just over 3,900' of elevation gain. 6 and a half hours up and back down total.
Enjoy! :)
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