This is a gem of a trail! We biked the 12 miles from the visitor center to Lake View, then back. 90% of this trail section is shaded (though by noon there's more sun through the treetops). Biking on the morning of July 4th, the only other person we saw was a park ranger. The facilities at the visitor center are marvelous, and the historic information at the Lake View stop is educational and interesting. Make the effort, you'll enjoy this well maintained, beautiful, peaceful trail. Like for us, it might be just you and the dragonflies and butterflies!