My daughter and I decided to go on her first overnight backpack trip. I recalled having a great time with my Boy Scout troop about 30+ years ago and always wanted to come back. The road to the trailhead is as reported - TERRIBLE. We were in a mid-size SUV with 8.6 inches of clearance and slightly bottomed out 3 times going as slow as possible. This would be impossible in a Honda Civic or similar vehicle. Seriously, it's bad.
We made the trailhead by about 10 am and were the only car in the lot. The privy at the TH is locked. The insects are swarming although they were mostly gnats and not very bitey. Just all up in your face constantly unless you are moving. The trail is in excellent condition. We made a brief snack stop at Beaver Plant lake which is very pretty and has many good camp spots. Made it to Lower Ashland Lake around mid-day and took the only good campsite. It has 2 tent platforms and a nice camp ring with benches. There are other spots for tents and I would guess you could set up 3-4 more. Another group arrived behind us and decided to turn back to Upper Ashland or Beaver Plant although we didn't see them on our way out the following day.
Bugs were a nuisance but they did let up after a while. All the wood is wet but we still managed to get a fire going which helped. Frogs are very loud and unceasing at night. Also saw 2 garter snakes, 3 pileated woodpeckers, a salamander and possibly some fish jumping in the lake. Evidence of beaver activity is everywhere.
The privy is COMPLETELY FULL, like maybe 6" clearance below the rim. Pretty gross so be warned. We could not bring ourselves to use it but I brought a shovel luckily.
We hiked out in just over an hour to find 2 other cars in the lot. Very carefully made our way back down the road and stopped at Verlot Ranger Station to wash up. Overall a very good daddy daughter hike despite the challenges.
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