Started late at around 10:15 AM and there were many cars already on the side of FR32 like 15+ but luckily we found an empty spot not far from the trailhead.

The temp was above 70 and felt like 90 today. Trail was mostly exposed to the sun but we did appreciate a few creek/waterfall crossing to cool off.

Inconsistent snow patches started at around 5,200ft until the summit. We brought traction but snow was too soft and so we didn't need them. Poles were helpful but you can do without. 

There were quite a few hikers with their little kids today heading to the pass and even to the peak. There were also many hikers heading to Ruth. Didn't see any open crevasses on its route from the distance.

Overall, it's a great bluebird day with 360 view at the summit. Recommend an early start especially on a hot day like today.

Stats: 11.18 mi RT, 6:19 total time with plenty of breaks.

WOW, what a hike! The sky and air quality were perfect when we did Hannegan Peak on Thursday 7/4. The road has a lot of potholes and I appreciated having a high-clearance vehicle, but you could definitely do it in a sedan going slower. The trail only has snow in the final stretch before the peak (see photos). I think there are many people who could do it without traction, but I was glad to have my spikes and poles.

Wildflowers are blooming and the surrounding mountain peaks are still snowy. 10 out of 10!

The Hannegan Pass Road is heavily potholed in places. It took me over 20 minutes each way to cover the 5 miles from the highway. Only one other car at trailhead upon my 4:25am arrival. The clearing weather all the forecasts I had read never happened (at least before my departure around 11:00am). Except for some blue sky and patches of alpenglow on Ruth Mountain (picture below) and Sefrit right after sunrise, there was a complete overcast deck at about 7000 ft and the air was very humid, though cool, even on the return. The trail is snow free up to the Pass (except on simple little stretch). From the Pass to Hannegan Peak, there are about three snow covered trail sections that are easy to follow, but are a bit sketchy in places (at least without poles or traction). Once you reach the trail location where Hannegan Peak itself is visible (the first picture), the snow conditions become much more serious of an undertaking. Since it was so overcast, I passed on the final slog up to the top as I have been there, done that several times before when the weather was much finer. Flushed a bear first during climb above the pass (picture below) and again on descent, this time closer to it and below the Pass (camera was stowed for that one). Same bear??? Flower displays were nice in places. Twelve additional cars at trailhead upon return (I thought there be more, maybe tomorrow).

Trail to the pass was very easy, poles helpful in a couple of places when descend. Many water crossings, easy to cross. Trail in and out of shade and views, just as you feel uncomfortable you will in the shade again. Grade was very gentle. Toilet clean, as I came out I saw two people weeding the trail, very appreciative of the work they did. Only saw two people going up but more than 10 on my way down.
The road to the trail head was filled with potholes, parking lot can hold about 10 cars.

I arrived at Hannegan pass trailhead just before 5am, the road leading to the trailhead is a bit rough. However I was able to make it in a sedan and I saw at least 1 other sedan in the lot. There is no snow on the Hannegan pass trail until you reach Hannegan camp, from that point on be prepared to travel on snow. Hannegan camp itself is in the process of melting out, but is still mostly snow covered. The gully and traverse around point 5930 are snow covered. There is a fresh layer of snow on the upper mountain approximately 10-12 inches from over the weekend. There were a couple of other groups on the mountain, most people were skiing. I booted up and the snow conditions were highly varied. I wore crampons early in the morning, but the snow softened quickly and by the time I was approaching the summit I was sinking through the fresh layer of snow down to winter snowpack. Overall a beautiful day with somewhat challenging snow conditions. I arrived back at the trailhead just after 3:30pm. Mileage 13.4, elavation gain 4,791 ft time 10 hours 43 min. Gear used trail runners, boots, crampons, ice axe, trekking pole.