This butt kicker starts off slow at the trailhead through some mildly steep ferns and then progresses into an endless series of grueling switchbacks.Once you think you're getting close to the top or to the lake, the steep part is just beginning. It keeps getting steeper and steeper to the top. Once you reach near the top the trail side-hills it and makes you think it's going to stay flat for a bit but then it inclines some more. It then takes you through a nice brushy green area that was a landslide area some time ago and looks like perfect country for a bear, filled with cover and berries. In April and May time frame this is where I'd hit snow both times and had to turn around as I was unprepared as a first time hiker of this trail. This particular section in the end of July and August its nearly overgrown with many greens and trees across the trail so one must be careful not to get your ankle stuck in these. Once you pass this area you'll cross a little creek and then shortly after the lake will be on your right. It's a nice beautiful green and deep looking. On this day there were so many bugs and butterflies that I couldn't hang near the shore for very long without getting eaten alive, even with a hefty coat of bug spray on. They seemed to be immune. The reward is fairly nice, however, it it's just cooling off you're after, you may be disappointed as that can be done down at lake Cushman or it's inflowing Skokomish River. There were many nice salmon berries to eat along the way. The only wildlife seen today on this hike was a family of grouse and a newt that surfaced at the lake. Once the lake experience is done it was time to head back down. This descent makes you painfully aware that a whole new set of muscles gets used for heading downhill. I don't recommend this to anyone as it's quite dangerous but I decided to double time the nearly the whole way, pushing my limits as it was 90+ degrees on this day. I made it down from the lake to the trailhead in 56 minutes. I took a few breaks to film along the way. I slept like a rock that night with the stars over my head at the Staircase campground. Wonderful experience overall.
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