Drive to TH was just a little under 2 hours. Gravel roads in good shape except for the last 0.6 mile on FS 800. Bear left at the Y just before the TH (the right road goes up to an old mine). Had a little rain on the drive to the TH but didn't have the forecast rain, hail and lightning during the hike. Applegate River Lodge was not open as advertised so we went to the Frau Kemmling Schoolhaus Brewhaus.
The trail, particularly at the higher elevations, is quite overgrown with manzanita, buck brush and a plant with seed pods. Talked with the Star Ranger Station about it and she said that she would pass along the information to the recreation specialist that handles trail maintenance.