Hiked to Mt Townsend today. Only saw one ither hiker. Trail was snow free for the first 2 miles and later it became intermittent and finally continuous. The top ridge has no snow and flowers are starting to bloom. The trail is easy to follow, there is a boot pack. We used spikes, but they are not strictly required. A little post holing. Not much. Bathroom was closed and the road was in good shape. Only a couple of fallen trees to get up and over at the start of the trail

We arrived at the TH around 10 AM, one other vehicle in the parking area, vault toilet was locked. We hiked the trail to Windy Camp where we stopped due to the hard travel through the 3-4 ft of snow covering the trail. The snow was soft enough so our poles broke through and we did a lot of postholing. We first encountered snow on the trail at about mile 2 and 4300' in elevation. There are a few trees across the trail but we were able to get over all of them. Two or three more weeks of warm weather should get more of the trail melted. Folks have been climbing up the hillside and not using the switchback trail in many sections. This is causing erosion and is not good. 

between miles 1-2 is where you start to see snow, at the mile 2 point is where the entire ground is covered in snow, I kept slipping or sinking into the snow, the dog did well for her first time on a snowy hike. I decided to turn around. I would probably attempt it if I had snow shoes to help me from sinking in, but that might not help the dog. 

snow on road starting around 3200'. All but the last mile to the upper trailhead should go in all vehicles. The last mile goes with a high clearance 4x4 with snow tires to get over some snow drifts but snow conditions changing rapidly (melting when we departed) we parked at upper TH. Road has lots of litter but no fallen trees. We did not take the summer route to avoid avalanche danger. Instead we ascended the ridge exactly on the wilderness boundary departing the trail at 4120'. Only a few areas of denser bushwhack. Once on the ridge we turned west to ascend Townsend and Townsend North. No floatation needed. Large cornices on north and east aspects. South and West aspects had some patchwork of bare rock. Floatation never used. Don't overthink the ridge it is pretty simple. Windy and sunny

First and foremost, don't be a dummy like me and get yourself stuck in the parking lot. I thought 4wd and chains would keep me out of trouble, but I was wrong and I should've stopped at the t-intersection and walked the rest of the way. Thanks very very much to the folks that helped me, I owe you one.

As for the trail, it's starts with a lot of patchy snow and ice before it gets truly snowy around on the switchbacks where the view opens up. From there on there's a good, well-trod boot path to follow, so wayfinding was never an issue and neither was postholing, but it's never a bad idea to have GPS backup. I did the whole thing with spikes and poles and would recommend the same.

I wish my day didn't have such as annoying start because the views today were phenomenal and I wish I had more time to savor them - clear skies in every direction and awesome visibility. I don't feel like I usually get to see the mountains in BC from the peak, but they were definitely out today.

Lastly, I heard quite a lot of gunfire reverberating through the valleys when I was up top, so I'm extra glad I left my weird, noise-sensitive dog at home. The hike is doggable right now though and I did meet a pair that did the whole thing no problem, just know your pup's limits.