Per the rest of the trip reports, I chanced the rocky, uneven and pothole-riddled road up in a low-clearance/non-AWD (Honda Fit Sport). Would I recommend it? No. Can you do it if you have no other options and don't care about the underside of your vehicle getting all scratched up? Yes, just go slow and let all the Outbacks and CR-Vs pass you. Is it worth it? OHHH YEAH. This is by far my favorite dog-friendly sub 1500' gain hike now. Old growth, wildflower field, beautiful pristine lake, and stunning views at the top of the ridge. The only thing it might be missing is more of a showstopper waterfall. Path up to the lake is muddy but manageable. As one report mentioned, yes there are a lot of friendly pollinators up on the ridge! :)
One note to the completionists, if you take the right path from the lake split up the ridge, I'm pretty sure you have to go back the way you came and go to the left path if you want to circumnavigate the lake. Seemed too time consuming to do after exploring all the ridge paths. Descent from the lake wasn't bad, I had a pole with me but didn't use it.
Got there at 9:30am, the parking lot was just starting to fill up. Saw a few other brave-hearted sedan owners (mostly Priuses). Thankful for the gorgeous cloudless day!
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