You have to have a lot of heart to do this trail. There is a easier place that takes @ 1 mile off of your hike. Instead of parking at the dam site. Continue south from there on Lake Arrowhead rd. till it dead ends into Hwy.173 and turn left. Go about 1/2 a mile. There is a double wide mobile home on the left. Just past there is a large juniper tree on the left park there. This is where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the Hwy. This trail goes to the bottom of the dam. I never let the rumor mongers ruin my day talking about robbers.
Glad 2 help !