My brother in law and I did this loop a few weeks ago. My first time on the LSHT (his first time hiking) and I was pleasantly surprised. I've avoided this trail for a while thinking that it would be thick underbrush amongst pines.
The trail was well marked and maintained. Most of this loop was pine forests, but the forest was open enough in many areas to see several hundred yards. Very open but still shaded well. Passed several ponds along the way. Great hike all around. Didn't see a single sole all morning.