I had been planning on visiting this trail for quite some time and it didn't disappoint. 

The first mile or so has a steep start. There are many small creek crossings that you may want some trek poles for. I walked in about 5 miles, a little ways past the 4th bridge. It was a little tricky to find good river access at this point. There are a few tree blowdowns across the trail in various spots, easy enough to get by. I noticed a nice small campground about 2 miles in, with tree filtered views of the river. 

I can see a lot of the work WTA has done here over the years, it makes a big difference! I was surprised to see only 1 other hikers all day on a sunny weekend. I think at this point my new boots are primed and ready for some steeper trail adventures. 

RT 9.44m/1157ft 

I had no idea they paved the section of road around the High Steel Bridge turnoff, so that was a very nice surprise. Otherwise, I figure that Joe's report from yesterday regarding the bathroom still holds true, but I parked at Le Bar so I didn't see for myself.

No one at the lower TH when I arrived at 9, two cars at Le Bar, didn't see anyone until another hiker passed me around 4 miles out. There's a huge tree to climb over/around not far after Homestead Camp, a big messy blowdown around 4.8 miles out, and one slightly uncomfortable duck-under branch in between, but overall I'd say the trail is in good shape. We went as far as the river access after the 4th bridge (at least I think it's the 4th?) before taking lunch and turning around, so not quite as far as Camp Comfort, but close. The clouds and fog moved in around noon and we crossed paths with maybe a dozen or so folks on the way back.

What a great Thanksgiving Day Hike and Leave-No-Trace Feast!

I've included 6min of video highlights below..

Road: paved all the way now!

Trailhead: bathroom clean and fully stocked. 

Trail: for the couple miles I hiked in, only one low (2ft high) tree across the trail (see photo). Stream crossing was easy using poles.

Crowds: not another soul all day

Leave-no-Trace Feast celebration(since my wonderful wife Heidi died 12 yr ago, I spend all major holidays hiking when weather permits): I tried a Latino themed appetizer tray this Thanksgiving, including avocado oil, a turkey molee enchilada, turkey salsa taco, turkey guacamole quesadilla, turkey bean burrito, cactus casserole(instead of green beans), yam empanada, turkey tamale, turkey posole dressing, enchilada sauce instead of gravy, and a very ugly homemade boscachito turkey cookie haha!  Everything turned out delicious. I use a JetBoil with a small cast iron heat diffuser underneath the skillet. 

Scenery: the South Fork is running very high from recent rains!  Forest was beautiful, with lots of Sulfur Tuft mushrooms.

This up and down, rocky trail didn’t agree with my knees. But it was gorgeous. Stunning old growth trees. Trail description is not accurate. It does level off after the first switchbacks. But it is very up and down after that and there were at least 3 sets of switchbacks total. I wouldn’t take kids. And as others have mentioned there are no signs. Could be better. One reviewer said to stay to the left. That feedback was very helpful. All that being said it was some of the beautiful forest I’ve ever seen.

Easy hike on a sunny Sunday. Started at 9 am. Hardly anyone one else the trail before noon. Not too many roots or rocks. Foliage encroaching on the trail here and there. A few little stream crossings where you won’t get wet. Hardly any mud, despite all the rain this last week. A few bugs but you only see them when you stop moving.

I agree with the other poster who said this trail needs more signage. It also needs distance markers.

A nice forest hike overall.