I will start by saying the trail is relatively snow free until you pass Jade Lake. I was day hiking in another area and left the trailhead at 7pm, just knocked out a couple miles to make the next day shorter. Other reports have said about 4.5 miles in there’s a stretch of nettles.
After crossing the creek, which is tricky because the creek is high due to snow melt, the climbing begins. This is by no means a trail you’re going to set any speed records on. It’s rooty, rocky, and has a fair share of larger step-ups. Similar to Lake Serene. There are some steep section for the next three miles but I never found the grade obnoxious. The brush however, OBNOXIOUS. Ha. Not really that bad but be ready to deal with lots of overgrowth.
Jade lake is beautiful, I had to put on my crocs to get around the lake the water was never deep but be prepared this time of year to get your feet wet.
Emerald lake is equally beautiful, and opal as well. I wished I could have bushwhacked some more, camped another night and explored but I had a 9 mile trek home and no food for another night.
Bugs are out in force I only got bit a couple times but I sprayed often. If you go past jade lake and start running into the snow fields proceed with caution and use common sense and I don’t think you will have any issues. That said there’s lots of running water under all the melting snow fields. By the end of June I’d be surprised if the snow isn’t all melted.
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