The trail is clear up to Long Lake. There is a huge snow bridge when walking into Long Lake, we turned to the right and scrambled on rocks on the way to High Lake. There are snow fields in between but it is manageable if you are careful. I had ice axe and crampons but didn't use them. I am from Chicago and this is my first time.
Most people I met at trail head went to Cottonwood Lake 3, 4,5, NAP didn't have much traffic.
