Ok, encountered snow covering the trail at about 3000ft covering the trail. most people including us cut straight up the mountain via a snow field. the snow at the lower chutes heading up was pretty chewed up but once it opened into the larger face the snow was solid enough to chop step up, for those who don't like walking snow much there is enough open patches that you can minimize your snow walking.

Trail in good shape through snow level reached jst below first avalanche chute in upper swithbacks. Recent and other current reports are still on target. Trail past first chute is heavily snow covered: best decision is to head due north staying on west side of avalanche basin. There is also a nice broad band of boulders starting about 700' below summit, west of basin, easy to spot, to move into. I led a group of 15 hikers/leaders on scramble west of 2,700' level into tall timber where snow was firmer for kick stepping. Went straight up to middle of bowl mentioned above, then let them glissade down through chute. There is a glissade path coming down from a wys higher, which is tempting, but not recommended unless you're proficient with ice axe. rock outcropings toward bottom are getting exposed and dangerous. Watched a young man go down without ice axe: he looked like a rag doll bounding down out of control going about 50mph. His head got turned around heading downhill, and missed a concealed rock by about 3'. As he headed back up to do it again, I don't believe he even realized how close he had come to a skull fracture. And, its been said life/death can be a matter of inches. For him, it was real close as measured in feet. Cornices at top on NE side of summit above where trail is buried, are still fragile to break off. Overall, great views and day as witnessed by looks on people's faces!!

Trail in good condition, with noticeable drainage improvements to first mile(Thanks WTA!)First snow at about 2,800', and becomes a chore at about 3,200'. At about 3,400' you come to first avalanche chute, where it is wise to route NW for a bit, then due north toward summit. You break out of the trees at about 3,800'with great views on the west side of broad chute. Evidence of avalanche activity: Beware!! you can spot glissade marks in chute, but maybe they didn't make it to live another day. The way goes steep right next to broad bare rocky patch that turns into slab field going north to summit. This lies between two chutes, and can be used should cutting steps in snow get a bit boring. 200' feet from top, the slab field ends with steep snow as you see lookout right above you. using an ice axe is wise from about 4,400' up, as the gradient is steep enough to send you into a chute, should you fall. I used the 2 handed stake position for quite a while, which gives you a picture of the steepness. Also, the east side of summit is a long row of fragile cornices surrounding the basin where trail is covered with about 4' of snow. All in all, great views, great soft snow for cutting steps, and ended with some long glissading on the west side of slab field. My next trip up would start further west in trees coming up from lower trail, where firmer snow is. Great time!!

After 2 days indoors in meetings, I couldn?t wait to get out. A dozen cars sat in the parking lot when I pulled in at 9 am. Most of the route is snow ? beginning about 1,000 feet above the trailhead. The snow is ideal for walking/climbing: glad I had poles and didn?t regret forgetting my axe. Above treeline were strong gusty winds. Otherwise it was an ideally temperate, beautiful day for a bit of a workout.. Although there were many footprints and no obvious trail to follow, it didn?t matter. Sticking to the west side of the first gully and climbing straight up through the trees, I exited on slopes that lead directly to the summit.

It was either Granite Mt or Mt Dickerman. We decided with last week's snow, Dickerman might be too much of a slog. Snow free for a few switchbacks after the Pratt Lake junction. We followed the trail on the snow for a while and then headed straight up. As usual, it is a steep route but the snow was pliable but not too soft. Up through the forest as it thins out and then onto the open slope. The gully which can and has killed with avalanches was to be avoided. Probably about 500 feet from the top maybe a bit more, I crossed the ridge line to get out of the ferocious winds. They were really whipping east to west and hitting up on the east side of the ridge. Occasionally throwing off balance. The wind was not cold or even chilly. I was in shorts and had my shirt unbuttoned and sleeves up. Some high clouds but it was pretty much picture perfect. It was a slow slog to the top and I was pretty tired. There were a few other people up there but not the usual crowds that come a bit later when the trail is more open higher up. Down allowed good plunge stepping and a bit of sitting glissade. It was a fun day with good friends. Oh, yes, some of _YOU_ folks, WTA were out working on the lower sections in the morning when we started up.