How strenuous depends on if you can drive to the gate or not. If you can drive most of the way when it is snow free, it is just a mile walk with little elevation gain. We saw numerous footprints so it gets visitors due to the gorgeous views. If you do this as a snowshoe, it will add a lot of mileage and elevation. It is 20 miles roundtrip from where you turn off the main roads - very windy road.