We arrived at the parking lot around 9:45 am and there were spots available. The weather was very pleasant. The trail is passable w minimal difficulty-except the climb. Ooof. It’s a grind to the top. We passed a few people who were polite and considerate. Some snow at the top-super slushy. We used spikes to minimize the downhill slides. It’s a good training hike and had some decent views. The wildflowers were lovely and the trail had a few pieces of trash. (Just a reminder-if you bag your dog’s poop, don’t forget to take it to the garbage). It’s not an easy hike!

We arrived at the parking lot around 9:45 am and there were spots available. The weather was very pleasant. The trail is passable w minimal difficulty-except the climb. Ooof. It’s a grind to the top. We passed a few people who were polite and considerate. Some snow at the top-super slushy. We used spikes to minimize the downhill slides. It’s a good training hike and had some decent views. The wildflowers were lovely and the trail had a few pieces of trash. (Just a reminder-if you bag your dog’s poop, don’t forget to take it to the garbage). It’s not an easy hike!

Went up to the peak on this fine Junuary morning. Got started at 7:06 am. There actually was a dusting of new snow up around the summit. Snow begins around 4300 ft and is pretty much continuous up to the summit with a few bare stretches. I brought spikes but did not use them. Snow was nice and consolidated so no post holing, Some of the snow looked to be 2+ feet, so it is going to be there for awhile. Bring a jacket, as the trees and vegetation are encroaching the trail, and you will get soaked without one.

The first view spot with the drop off down to Granite Lakes is snow free as is the forested summit all the way over to far view spot. It was foggy up at the summit today so I could not even see Granite Lakes or over to Thompson Point or Revolution Peak. I did get a peek a boo view over to Dirtybox right as I got over there.

Nice to get up and down early as there were quite a few hikers coming up. parking lot was packed when I finished at 10:30 am

There’s still consistent snow on the last, steep half mile. I didn’t bring my traction, like a dummy, because I figured it’d be mostly gone by now, so I turned around after walking on the snow for 20 feet or so. You’d probably be fine with just poles, as the snow seemed soft enough to offer some traction and firm enough to kick steps into if necessary, but I was just absolutely pooped and didn’t feel like dealing with it.

There’s still consistent snow on the last, steep half mile. I didn’t bring my traction, like a dummy, because I figured it’d be mostly gone by now, so I turned around after walking on the snow for 20 feet or so. You’d probably be fine with just poles, as the snow seemed soft enough to offer some traction and firm enough to kick steps into if necessary, but I was just absolutely pooped and didn’t feel like dealing with it.