I arrived at the Far Side Trailhead lot just after 8:00 - all of the designated parking spots were taken but I found a place alongside the road without issue.

The trail was full of people during the first leg, including some big groups, but the crowds thinned out considerably after the balcony and I only saw around 10-15 folks climbing up or coming down from the peak. 

The last couple miles of the trail were snow covered and the snow was slushy and slippery, even with microspikes on. There are a couple of steep sections I took slow on the way down and I came close to falling on a few occasions.

I wouldn't consider the trail sketchy or anything, but taking a spill would be easy to do, and I wouldn't have attempted without traction and poles. 

There were lots of vehicles in the parking lot and parked along the road on this rainy Sunday afternoon. Trail was in good condition. Snow coverage began after the Museum Creek crossing.

I planned on trying to go up to Web Mountain via the talus field SE of Granite Creek. I even brought my snowshoes. As I passed below it, I decided not to attempt it so late in the day(almost 4) without my forgotten headlamp. I only know a very rough approximation of the route, and there wouldn't be views from up there. I'll save it for a clear day.

I continued on up to DHP. I really enjoy it up there with or without views and I spent almost an hour with the place to myself. Then I had a great run down, especially the snowy upper half. I slow down a lot on the really rocky areas below with my darn shin pain lately.

Great day to climb to the peak.  Snow is well consolidated and a good bootpath exists all the way to the top.  We got snowed on a bit, as the peaks were holding onto the clouds and squeezing out some moisture.

Snow started a bit past the turnoff / creek to the Museum.  Spikes very helpful.  Saw a couple folks without them but seems a bit dicey.

On a nice Saturday saw perhaps 20 people past the Balcony turnoff.

Arrived at the parking lot around 10:30 am. There were a few cars in the lot but I only passed a few climbers on the way up to the Balcony trail. I was completely alone for the duration of the hike above the Balcony trail. I put on my spikes at about 3100 feet of elevation (not long after crossing a significant stream that runs down the trail for about 20 feet). That was a good choice as the trail was pretty much snow covered from that point to the summit. The snow was soft on the surface but compacted enough that I didn't sink down more than a few inches with each step (and I was fortunate to enjoy the benefits of having a previous hiker break trail through the snow to the top). Was foggy above the Balcony trail so no good summit views on this hike.

‘Praise to those who post-hole before us so that we may step carefully and avoid post-holing ourselves.’

Till balcony fork trail is good with very little snow on the ground. From there spikes will be very helpful. Last mile or so has quite a bit of snow and elevation… definitely felt hard there but doable. Give yourself some breathing time. There are couple of view points at the peak, I liked Mt. Rainier view. It’s gorgeous day with blue skies and cannot ask for more than that. Like other reports mentioned, you would cross few creeks but they are small should be able to cross without getting wet.