Arrived at the small parking lot at 6:30 am when it opened to find it already about 75% full which was unexpected as blogs we read suggested the park service is known to fine those using the trail outside its usual hours. The first half mile was gentle and easy going, and we could hear wild turkeys gobbling off in the trees. After the previous day's rain, the next 1.5 miles or so was extremely muddy and rough going, but then then trail conditions improved considerably for the last mile up. My GPS logged it as almost exactly 3 miles from bottom to top, and despite the mud we managed it in an hour. Great views at the top though the cloud covering blocked the longer distance views.