Many, many... MANY years ago I visited a random lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I honestly don't remember why we chose that one. It wasn't well known and it might have been just a case of, "Hey. I wonder where this trail goes?"
Time has a way of blurring the details you don't really like so I suggested the boy and I go back. I mean... why not?
Cuz it's stupid steep. And covered in blowdown. And nobody goes there except the crazy miners.
Ah, so it's perfect in this day and age, huh? Got it.
Lots of moss. Lots of dripping brush. We were soaked even though it wasn't raining. Tinkham was having a blast running up and down. We had a blast figuring out where the trail went when it was obliterated by fallen trees.
We did make it to the lake, which was still partially frozen. The rain started in earnest so we took a snow sample and bailed pretty quickly.
I'd recommend the route if you want maximum gain in minimum distance. Also if you want to get it before it's overrun. There were TONS of orange flags that make it seem like it's on the list of trails to be built.
Otherwise, nah. We had fun, but we're not right in the heads.
