The general trail description above is accurate. Currently, there is a lot of snow once you reach the bowl(?) around 6000'. Usually, this is cleared out by July, but not this year. Be careful, avoid walking across the snow where if you were to fall, it would lead to a drop, and have poles or something in-hand to help self-arrest if you slip. It's not that bad if you're used to walking on snow, but there are some nasty drops if you're not smart about where you choose to walk across the snow.
From the bowl, you'll see cornices along the ridge. The key part is that the snow actually isn't along the ridge. It's offset from the trail, so once you get past the snow in the bowl and hit the snow-free switchbacks that go up to the ridgeline, it's snow-free to the summit — you can see this in my pictures. BUT, be very careful in the snowfields.
General comments: I've done the trip to Rock Mountain five times. This was the fourth of the Rock Lake route directly off of Rt. 2. Last year, I went up the Snowy Creek route, which is MUCH, MUCH more pleasant... but at the expense of my car getting scratched to hell (as the reports warned) on the lengthy drive to the Snowy Creek trailhead. The switchbacks, dirt/dust, and sun exposure on the Rock Lake route are absolutely brutal on a hot, sunny day. Bring sunblock. Re-apply.
Once you're clear of the tight switchbacks, the bugs are also brutal. Bring bug spray. Also, use that copiously. If your luck is the same as mine, despite the sunblock and bug spray, your sunburn will have bug bites. Awesome.
I always put that the road is "rough but passable," but it's extraordinarily brief that you're on the road (75'?). Mind the dips, but even a low car will be fine if you're smart about how you approach the dips.
All of the above to say, this is still one of the most amazing destinations in the greater Seattle area that most people don't know about.
BUT BUT B
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