We had intended to do the 9.5 mile hike via Maple Springs.  The gate was open to drive all the way up to the dirt road, which we did.  It was paved and an easy drive, but a few big dips in the road to watch out for.  We thought that since the gate was open, we bypassed the 17 mile hike as we parked exactly where the paved road met the dirt road.  That was not the case.  It is another 4 miles til you even reach the trailhead.  If you start at the dirt road, it is a 17 mile hike and pretty grueling.  You would really have to have an off-roading type vehicle as the road was really rocky.  We were not able to drive it in an SUV with 4-wheel drive.  There are a lot of people on motorcycles on the trail.  We went on a Friday so it wasn't bad.  But I would stay away from the weekend, otherwise you will have a lot of dirt and fumes kicked up at you from all the people riding their motorcycles up.  Even though the weather was in the 60's, it still felt hot as there wasn't a lot of shade.