This is at the trailhead. The vegetation is beautiful right from the start. I got on the trail at 7:00 AM and not a soul passed me up until I was at about the five mile point, a mile before I was blocked by a treacherous stream crossing that I didn't feel comfortable attempting. But once the first group caught up to me, the trail was a constant stream of people. Imagine what it's like on the weekend: like a zoo.