Aasgard Pass, Colchuck Galcier, Colchuck Lake

The trail's in fine shape, but Colchuck Lake is not at its most scenic. It's crystal clear waters are partially clogged with half-melted ice and snow, and the far end is littered with debris from what looks like a massive avalanche that swept a large number of trees into the lake just north of the start of the climb to Asgaard. The rock field you cross to get to Asgaard is rapidly melting out, creating a landmine of postholes.

The good news? If you've ever wanted to climb the Colchuck Glacier, there can be no better time than right now. The snowpack is continuous from the lake and solid enough over the glacier to provide an unimpeded path to the col between Dragontail and Colchuck peaks (other than the natural impediment of gaining 2,400' of elevation in less than a mile). With temperatures having risen, you don't even need crampons. Despite the somewhat soft snow, there was no sign of recent wet slide activity. You could practically do this climb in flip flops!

Asgaard looks to be about 75% snow covered.

The trail to Colchuck is snow-free until you start to circle the lake. There's snow in places, increasing as you get further and further towards the far end.

You can get by without bug spray for now. Mosquitoes have the parking lot and the first mile of trail staked out. Their numbers drop to nothing as you climb, and there are no bugs to mention at the lake.

A few good reminders. One is that I believe the Enchantment Permit Zone has been expanded to cover Colchuck, so the old strategy of camping at Colchuck and day-hiking into the Upper Enchantments now requires a lottery permit. Another is that glissading Asgaard (or the slope below Colchuck Glacier) is riskier than it looks - someone slipped into a moat and died doing that just last year.