Challenging trail with a lot of variety! The road approaching the trailhead is in good condition overall. The last mile has ample potholes, but they are not to deep and easy to dodge. There is not a parking lot at the trailhead, nor any toilets or trash cans; however, if you neee to pack out dog poop, there are some trailheads such as Lake 22 along the road that you could stop by to drop off. I arrived around 0815 on Columbus Day and found only 2 other cars parked on the side of the road.

The trail is narrow the entire way and has plenty of rocks and roots to trip over. The first mile and a half are fairly easy, with a downhill break during mile 2, and includes a BEAUTIFUL forest glen full of sunshine about a mile in! However, after that, be prepared for some steep uphills, boulder crossings, and complicated terrain; there are some spots where it's easy to lose track of the trail, and eventually AllTrails lost track of me. GPS logged about 3 miles in to Lower Cutthroat Lake, which is looking incredible with fall colors right now! Go a little ways uphill to the left while you're there to find Upper Cutthroat Lake, which is smaller and less colorful than Lower. But who doesn't love two lakes on one trail?? I took just shy of 2 hrs to get both ways, for a total of about 3.75 hours moving, and GPS indicated 1672 ft elevation gain. No additional cars parked when I got back to the trailhead that afternoon.

I did bring my husky along, but he is a major puller and was difficult to handle on the unstable terrain, particularly going downhill. He did fine overall, but between the terrain and the narrow trail, I would be reluctant to bring him again... although he does have some great new fall portraits now!

This was a beautiful fall hike. Wild blueberries were aplenty and leaves turning. We spent a little lunch break chatting with a group of Pika and encountered only a hand full of other hikers along the way.

It was a bit much for our 4 year old though so she spent a lot of it in the backpack.

Road was supposed to open September 15 (which I confirmed with the ranger station yesterday), but was still gated today.

Guess I should have read the trip reports!  The road is closed through September 15th , no reason given, just a closure sign right after you turn off the Mtn. Loop Highway.  This is a lovely fall hike so I will be back, but for today, Plan B: Gothic Basin.

ROAD CLOSED
There’s a sign at the entrance (about 2 miles from the trailhead according to my GPS) saying the road is closed from 7/15-8/22.