First off, since we ran across a couple of groups who had difficulty finding the path down to the lake in the snow, here's my best attempt to explain how to find it if you haven't done this hike before:
If you're coming from the Steven's Pass trailhead, when you drop to the meadow with the lake, cross the meadow and a sizeable but not at all difficult stream crossing (see first photo, you'd be coming across the meadow), and just before you reach the tree line to start climbing again, look to your right and you should see the sign on one of the trees that says "Lake Access".
If you're coming from Smithbrook trailhead (this seemed to be the tricky one for pepole), as soon as you drop to the meadow, immediately start looking to your left when you clear the tree line for the sign. If you come to the stream crossing (see first photo), you've gone just a little too far, so backtrack a bit and watch the trees on your right for the sign.
Now, our hike started from the Steven's Pass trailhead. My hiking partner and I started out at about 11:00 AM from the trailhead, with only about 4 other cars in the parking lot. There were snow flurries, but the temperature wasn't bad and the snow didn't stick for long. Low clouds and the snow flurries made for quite the somewhat surreal hiking views through the occasional breaks in the trees. The first couple of miles of trail weren't difficult at all, being relatively dry with not much in the way of mud or other obstacles and a gentle grade. Around the 3 mile mark, when you start in to some elevation gain, there were some spots (especially through the meadows) where the trail turned to a mud track and required some careful stepping. As you keep climbing, the snow has covered the trail in places. It's not hard going, but there are rocks buried under the snow, so be careful where you step.
Stopped for a late lunch at the lake before turning around and starting back. The climb up away from the lake was no problem, despite the snow, and on the return trip the air had warmed up sufficiently to start melting some of the lower elevation snow, resulting in a few extra muddy spots to contend with on the return.
2 other things to be aware of: our GPS readings put this hike at just a touch over 12 miles, not 10, round-trip from the trailhead to the lake and back. Second, on our return to the trailhead we did spot a bear across the valley. It was well away from any portion of the trail, but be aware they are in the area.
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