The trailhead is about 4 miles from the campground and it was packed. We had to park over a half a mile down and walk up. Despite the amount of cars there, the trail itself didn't feel overly crowded. As we were walking to the trail, Aaron got bloody nose and stepped on a dead squirrel. This, in conjunction with the toothpick-sized splinter stuck under his nail he attained from earlier that morning, resulted in a rough start for Aaron. But he persevered and is now a stronger man having survived these trials and tribulations.
DON'T: Go just to Paradise and expect to have any sort of a peaceful experience with nature. It is a zoo of people and it's distracting to the beauty. If you're with someone who isn't in good shape, this would be a better option since the trail isn't hard and paved most of the way.
DO: Carry a few cans of Rainier with you on your hike. It's fun!
DON'T: Expect the beer to taste that good, even when it's cold and you're hot.
Summerland to Panhandle:
Elevation: 2,950'
Distance: 12 miles RT
Deadhorse Creek Trail:
Elevation: 400'
Distance: 2.4 miles RT
National Parks Pass or America the Beautiful Pass