This is a great rainy day hike, flat up to the Foss River crossing (5 miles from trailhead), not muddy or much standing water on the trail. There were impressive deep ruddy colors with the dead ferns, vine maple leaves, and bare twigs especially past the marshy area at 2-3 miles (Alturas Lake on USGS map). The climb after the Foss River crossing to Jade lake (8 miles from trailhead) was steep, but a well maintained trail so most of the challenge is simply the gain in altitude.
The trail was ice free and snow free up to the river crossing and mostly snow free until about 1/2 mile from Jade Lake. The approach to Jade Lake had about 4 inches of wet, sticky snow but was ok with careful footing and hiking boots only.
I found a great lunch spot under an overhanging boulder along the shore of Jade Lake which was ice covered and had residual snow around the edges. It was just above freezing so new precipitation was more light rain than snow, and by the time I came down much of the snow that had been there on the way up was melted. I made it back out with just time enough to reach the trailhead by dusk.
There were no other cars in the parking lot, but boot and dog tracks from one party that had come almost to the lake. Gaia GPS listed round trip to Jade Lake at 16.2 miles, 3276 feet ascent.
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