One of the most difficult hikes that I've ever encountered. A LOT of straight elevation/going up. Going down will put strain on your ankles and limbs, so be careful to find an appropriate foothold so that you don't slip. People are really kind here and will let you pass them or vice versa if you're going faster or slower. The payoff is well worth it.
We got to the trail around 11 AM, didn't get a parking pass but managed to snag it after finding someone heading back to their car. Ended up eating lunch around 2 PM, which is when we got to Lake Serene. Dipping your feet in the water is a must. Unfortunately, there is a lot of sunscreen in the water. There was a group of people who brought water filters to the lake, but they still said that it couldn't filter out the sunscreen taste. If you try to swim to the middle of the lake, the water is much cleaner there. It's so so cold though, my lower body being submerged was enough for me. If you're sensitive to the cold, definitely check to make sure that you aren't experiencing signs of hypothermia (red and yellow skin) like I was near the tail end of our stay at Lake Serene. Ended up getting bitten by a few bugs. Definitely make sure to pack enough food/water/electrolytes, you may not feel hungry because you'll be straight exercising but you want to make sure that you can make it all the way down after getting up. We brought gochujang chicken udon noodles, four water bottles, and a quart of coconut water. So worth it. read more