Hey, just a quick reply about your question regarding the weekend hike. The trail we ended up taking was the one near the old ranger station, not the main loop. It added about an extra mile but the views were completely worth it. We saw a small family of deer crossing the path about halfway through. I forgot to mention that there is a really nice spot near the top where you can sit and have lunch overlooking the valley. The weather was perfect, not too hot and just a slight breeze. A couple of people brought their dogs which was nice to see. I think if you leave early enough you can avoid the midday sun completely. The parking situation was fine when we got there around 7:30 AM. There were still plenty of spaces. We took a wrong turn and ended up finding a hidden lake. It was so peaceful. I brought my camera but barely took any photos because I was just enjoying the moment. Reminded me how important it is to disconnect sometimes.

The trail was a bit muddy from the rain the night before but totally manageable with regular hiking shoes. We packed sandwiches and ate them by the water. Saw a family of ducks swimming along the edge. My phone died so I could not even check the time. It was honestly freeing. Definitely going back there next month with a few friends who want to camp overnight. Let me know if you want to join us. I will send you the details once we pick a date.