Spruce RR has always been a nice hike except for the ticks, which are the worst I've ever encountered in WA. I think this is also the only place in WA where they've found ticks with Lyme Disease. 

No biggy if you take precautions and check your dogs afterward. Always find a bunch on my dogs after a hike there. Ticks don't communicate disease unless they stay on you (or dogs) for quite a while (i.e after they're full or you remove them the wrong way). 

That won't stop me from using the improved trail. Just something you have to plan for, just like anything outdoors.