On Saturday 5/26/2018, the road had a few very large ruts that made it impassable (without assistance) for a vehicle with stock lift. Due to consistent, heavy rain over the last few weeks, I think those spots have become much worse than some of the earlier reviews indicated. There was a big rutted spot on the way in (maybe about 20 minutes in), and you risk getting stuck there without lift. There was a cluster of 3 trees down before the half way point, and amazingly no one out of about 15-20 vehicles had a saw. We had to back down the road (fortunately for only about ten minutes until we found a very small place to do a three point turn around), but part of the back down was over some pretty rough rocks. That part made you really need a spotter (because of the sight angle while in reverse), or your axel would get stuck on the rocks (see picture attached). Since we only made it about half way up (due to the downed trees), I can't comment on the second half of the trail. On the way back out (remember, this is a one way road, and you aren't supposed to come back out the way you came in), the huge rutted spot was much more difficult because it was uphill in this direction. My truck could not make over going this way, and a winch was required (winch was attached to a CJ). The winch alone would not pull it, and the CJ had to tug, while I floored it, to get over this rut.
If you want to enjoy the trip and not worry the whole time, take something that has a significant lift. Take some kind of saw, or ideally take a good hand saw and a chainsaw. I have learned a lesson and I will always carry some kind of saw after this adventure. If there is a big tree down, you might have to turn around anyway, and remember that the trail is more difficult going the opposite direction because the huge rutted areas will be uphill going back out. Therefore, there is a real chance that you could get in a position where you can't go in or out, and are truly stuck. I wouldn't do this trail alone (but I also wouldn't find it fun to go in a huge group). A party of 2-3 vehicles would be ideal. Ideally, at least one person needs a winch.
Overall, I would leave this trail for the true off road capable vehicles. I pushed my truck to its limit (and used 4x4 low gear most of the way), and the lesson I learned is that it is more fun to not be pushing your vehicle to its limit the whole way up the trail. If you saw the videos on youtube of the crosstrek or other stock vehicles running this trail, I would suggest that the conditions have changed since then and that those vehicles would not be able to make it up this trail in its current state. I'm writing this review so that the next person with a stock vehicle won't get in the same position I was in.
As a side point, my clutch completely failed 2 days later while at Elkmont campground. I had to get family to rent a uhaul car hauler to get me back home over the mountain. I was not even upset, because it did not happen on this trail. That's just something to think about, for those of you who aren't driving new vehicles.
