I did a slight variation on the classic Golden Lakes Loop. I generally traveled in a counter-clockwise direction. I saw Crater Lakes, Eagles Lakes, Boiling Lake, Sunrise Lake, and Cooney Lake in three days and two nights, Oct 1-3.
Road
The road is straightforward and passable by any car. I saw some reports complaining about the condition of this road. It is in fine shape. There are a few potholes, as there is sometimes one in the road, but generally, this is not the case, and it is smooth sailing.
Parking
I arrived around 9 AM on a Sunday, and the lot was full, full, full. There were many cars parked quite some ways down the road. I got lucky and nabbed one of the remaining spots in the actual parking lot. When I left on Tuesday afternoon, there was plenty of room in the parking lot, and any car parked on the shoulder was gone.
Trail
This is a mixed-use trail. That is, you will see mountain and motorized dirt bikes. I saw evidence of horses but didn't see any myself. I did, however, run into a man with four-pack goats! Mostly, people were reasonably courteous, except for a mountain biker or two who didn't seem to understand that they needed to yield to oncoming uphill foot traffic.
I saw quite a large number of people on Sunday and never really felt alone. I experienced much trail solitude on Monday and Tuesday, passing just a few parties each day.
I was glad to be mainly hiking mid-week as I wouldn't want to be on Angel's staircase with lots of mixed traffic as there is not much room to pull off the trail.
One of the benefits of the mixed-use nature of the area is that there were zero blowdowns! This is likely thanks to the local bike coalition that helps with trail maintenance. Thanks!
I was worried about snow/ice and carried micro-spikes, but I didn't need them. There was the occasional snow (less than 1"), ice, or frozen ground, but it didn't pose a problem and is quickly melting out. Read: Lots of mud in some places.
Camping
Even mid-week, multiple parties were camped about; 5 or 6 was the max I saw at Upper Eagle Lake. Fortunately, there was plenty of space to spread out. I think Saturday night is the main event; if you can avoid it, I would do so.
That said, while it was fairly pleasant during the day, it was cold at night, just around freezing. So, pack for lovely fall days and chilly nights. When I left my campsite on Tuesday morning, it was in the mid-30s; at the parking lot that same afternoon, it was in the low-60s.
Fall Colors
They are peak. It will hold through the weekend and begin to be past prime. Go, now!
Cooney, by far, has the most impressive display. You'll hit the jackpot with Cooney if you have to choose one.
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