The gravel road to the trailhead is in the process of being regraded and is in good shape until the final 1/2 mile.  I'd recommend a vehicle with some clearance to avoid hitting bottom.

The trail starts off on a decommissioned logging road. The first mile of trail traverses a fairly uninteresting 2nd growth forest. The old growth forest starts off with an old Hemlock forest with occasional big Red Cedar. As you get closer to Upper Ashland Lake the there are many more big old gnarly Cedars with some interesting grotesque features. The trees are so old that many are half dead and partially rotting. It really gives the forest a lot of character. The largest Cedar that I found measured a respectable 9 feet in diameter.

About a third of the trail is on raised boardwalks and puncheon because this area is very wet most of the year. It must have been a very expensive trail to build. Unfortunately it is falling into disrepair with broken planks and tilted walkways. 

The trail beyond Lower Ashland Lake to Twin Falls has been abandoned by DNR. We did it in 2018 and it was a rough go.

Of the 3 lakes, I thought that Beaver Plant lake was the nicest. Upper Ashland has interesting beaver tree felling. Lower Ashland has the gnarliest old Cedars.

RT 6.3 mi, 900ft

Great day on the trail day! It started a bit chilly but the sun came out and, supported by a nice breeze, made walking among the lakes lovely!

Not crowded at all, but you do get to drive by all the people questioning coming late to Lake 22. A few of boards here and there are worn down, wobbly, or need to be replaced, but there is evidence of recent work in the area too! Just a little buggy, but nothing biting or swarming.

Only the last little bit of the road up is really bad. Take it slow, preferably with high-clearance AWD.

Parking: Small lot but given the trail not being very busy because of road conditions, parking shouldn’t be a problem.

- Road Conditions: about 20 minutes of rough dirt road. Many potholes and some are big. Highly recommend a vehicle a with high clearance!

- Trail Conditions: just amazing. This trail has wooden bridges over the vegetation to protect the nature. Therefore, it’s really good and beautiful. 

This trail it’s one of the most beautiful trails I’ve visited in the area with exceptional views. You pass 3 beautiful Lakes on a short trail.

Trailhead Access:
The last couple miles of the road leading to the Ashland Lakes trailhead are riddled with some of the biggest potholes I've ever seen. A 4x4 or all-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended for this section.

Trail Conditions:
The trail is mostly snow-free, but there are patches of snow in some areas. Be prepared for blowdowns across the trail—some large trees have fallen, which can make navigation a bit challenging. However, it appears that trail maintenance is planned, as I noticed wood, 4x4s, 2x4s, and new campfire grill sets set aside for future installation.

Boardwalk and Lake Conditions:
Once you reach the upper Ashland Lake area, the boardwalks are flooded due to high lake levels from snowmelt. Some boards are loose, and you may find your feet sinking into the water. Proper boots are essential, as you will get wet walking along the boardwalks. Additionally, the boardwalk can be very slippery and icy, especially if it's snowing. Be cautious.

Camping:
The camping sites near bank of lake area are also flooded, but there are alternative spots just above the flooded areas, on higher ground. The entire area is saturated, so make sure to pick a dry site if you're camping.

Weather and Experience:
When I set out, the weather was a mix of sun and clouds. By the time I set up camp, rain began to fall, transitioning to snow throughout the night. In the morning, the entire forested area was dusted with a light snow, and there was still some ice on the lake. Despite the wet conditions, the beauty of the place, with its old-growth cedar forests, made it all worth it. The trail is challenging right now, mostly but it’s still a beautiful and rewarding destination.

Two trail buddies and I decided to enjoy a day in the  mountains so headed out to Ashland Lakes!  My friend drover her Rubicon so the drive up was no issue at all-yaya for high clearance!  The hike was stunning!  We took our time as one in our party was recovering from an ankle surgery and we laughed and chatted our way up the trail.  The lakes were so beautiful!  I’m beyond grateful for times to spend in under the trees with good buddies!