The hike up was pretty easy. There were a few fallen trees in the path that need traversal, but overall the trail is very smooth. Did a little stop off to beaver lake then headed onward to upper Ashland. When we got to upper Ashland lake the boardwalk was completely submerged in certain spots and falling apart. We decided to turn around at that point as we were unsure of the conditions further onward.

This was a pretty mellow hike that is not very populated. Roads were getting a bit rough near the end and we parked by the bridge and walked up to the trailhead as a lot of the road has been cut through by water flow.

Headed out mid-day for a day hike. Despite heavy winds the previous evening, there were few trees across the trail. The two we did encounter were passable (over or around). Morning snow turned into rain and the boardwalks (of which there are many) became pretty slick. The trail to the west of the upper lake is underwater- we opted to turn around and did not try the trail around the east side.

I just wanted to share my experience getting to this hike in my little Hyundai. I thought I would try and hit Lake Twenty-Two with my rare Saturday afternoon free, but it was closed on the 20th. This was my backup hike. Although many others are saying the road is rough or suitable (and *most* of it is actually quite lovely as the previous trip reporter noted the new grading being done on it,) I chickened out at the very end about 800ft from the trailhead. My car has relatively poor ground clearance. Getting most of the way to the trail was easier than leaving. I parked at the bottom of the hill that leads up to the trailhead, not trusting my car to manage the rough uphill finale. I am including a photo of what felt like the better road of the two (between the hill to the trailhead and the last stretch of road to get to the hill.) It didn't occur to me to photograph the hill until I was already struggling home.

I parked at 2:20pm, and knowing our daylight is limited, decided not to do this hike and try to get home on that road in the dim evening light.

There were puddles filling potholes which I avoided by scraping the overgrown brush on the way in, scratching up my mirrors (that was my choice.) On the way back, I tried the puddles instead, and scraped the bottoms badly. My poor trusty steed! My poor judgment...

I work early on Saturdays, so fatigue was likely a factor in my unpleasant commute. I would still recommend this drive only to experienced forest road drivers if they do not have a car higher off the ground than mine.

The forest road has ruts and potholes but none too severe. If you have a low clearance car you'll need to go slow and might even scrap a time or two. But there were sedans parked at the trailhead.

Trail itself is in decent shape but can be quite soggy near the lakes. Few trees across trail and of course the boardwalks by the lakes are slippery and some spike nails are tripping hazards.

This low elevation gain trail with its 3 scenic lakes is a great option when smoke is affecting visibility on peaks hikes. 
As other reports have noted, the road to the trailhead has been regraded almost to the end, so is very easy to drive until about the last half mile—about a quarter mile of the main road and a quarter mile for the spur road at the end. I was a little worried after reading previous reports about driving a low clearance sedan there, but it was very doable, just required going slowly and steering around the bigger pot holes. But there’s plenty of space to park on the side of the road right before the re-grade ends for anyone who’d rather not risk it, and would only add about a mile round trip to your hike.
The trailhead toilet is locked. The trail itself is in mostly good condition—the boardwalk is aging so requires attentive walking—and has clear signage at the junctions. My favorite lake was Beaver Plant, but all three lakes had nice water views and access, fall color, and lots of blue and red dragonflies.