Hiked up the trail and back down the closed road. Thin layer of snow and ice on the trail, but nothing difficult. The road had 1-2" of wet snow, and wasn't difficult to navigate, with or without poles.

Because the entrance gate is closed to vehicles for the winter, we parked on the main road and walked about a quarter mile beyond the gate to the trail head on right. We hiked this trail on a randomly beautiful and sunny/clear day, so the views at the top were incredible. The north viewpoint offers views of the snow-capped Olympic mountains in one direction and Mt. Baker in the other; from the south viewpoint you'll see across Puget Sound to Seattle and Mount Rainier. No picture can do this view justice. We took the trail both ways and encountered only a bit of slush/snow just before reaching the top - we felt totally comfortable in hiking boots without spikes or poles, though on the way down we did have to be a bit careful with our footing in a few slush patches. The trail ends at the north viewpoint and the south viewpoint can be reached by walking about half a mile down a gravel road. We passed maybe two or three dozen other hikers (and dogs!) on the trail, and there were lots of grey jays at the south viewpoint. Overall, a short but challenging (steep!) hike with spectacular views!

Hiked up the trail, to both viewpoints, and down the road today, in intermittent fog and drizzle with sunbreaks. The hiking trail is in great shape, well maintained, no mud, no obstacles, absolutely no snow on a warm day. I lucked out that the clouds cleared while I was eating lunch at the south viewpoint. I saw perhaps half a dozen other groups, so there was plenty of solitude on the trail (I'm sure it helped that it was Superbowl Sunday). 

If you decide to take the road back down, be warned that there is a rock slide blocking the road about 2.5 miles down (measured from the north viewpoint). I was able to scramble over the rocks and continue down, but the slide is all the way across the road. There were also a couple trees down, easily stepped over. The road is definitely less steep, but twice as long as, the hiking trail. The upper section has enough leaf litter along the edge that the surface is softer than usual (easier on the joints), but it gets harder as you go further down. 

The gate is locked for the winter, but I arrived just before noon and was able to park along the shoulder of 101. The toilet facilities at the north viewpoint are unlocked (didn't check the south viewpoint). 

Great hike. the elevation gain is no joke! Basically uphill switchbacks. Pretty cloudy day but very little rain! We got to the top right before the clouds rolled in. There are bathrooms up at the top as well. Trail was very well maintained, no obstacles at all.