Snake Overlook and Dead Lake

Great Basin National Park ( map link ) My goal for this short hike was really only to follow the Snake Overlook Loop Trail (1.5 miles total, 370 feet of gain) while the trail up to Dead Lake (1.9 miles to the lake, one way, and ~1300 feet of gain, the listed 1561 feet of gain is to its intersection with the Johnson Lake Trail) would make a good start of a short backpacking trip. Still, there are actually two trails that could be used for that start. The signs at either end of the parking lot describing those trails seemed to indicate there would be more interesting mining history along Johnson Creek. I was starting to question my plan already at the start. All of the trails follow old mining road and the signs warn that this is sometimes rather steep for a more strenuous hike than one might expect. They also warn that water is unpredictable and you should carry all you need. I expect it means if you are backpacking too. More manicured trail past more late fall color. I start