That loop can be humbling! I'm not sure what's going on with the flooding on the M&M south of the road. It was a pond last time I was there, and it wasn't especially wet otherwise.
It was filling up from the south end, entering from the left (southeast) and then coming right down the trail.
When I ran the loop last August (only time I've broken 50), it was just after being at altitude for a couple of weeks and I remember feeling strong on the hills.
Glad to see you running - wasn't sure how fast you'd be back doing that after your super-short Sprint...