Followed tracks up the summer trail, and, at 5,100ft, onto the south ridge (the summer trail zigzags across an avalanche slope). Climbed up the final steep slope to Excelsior Peak, before retreating down the east ridge to escape the wind for a break. Cut across the (more flat) SE slope to rejoin my tracks, and head back down.
Access. The road was clear. Some ice in the parking lot.
Conditions. There was a dusting of snow right from the start, more serious snow at 3,600ft, but didn't bother with snowshoes until I started postholing at 4,700ft. 3 blowdowns (one to duck under, 2 to step over), all in the lower third of the trail.
Crowds. 4 cars in the parking lot at 10am. Encountered 2 parties on the way up, none at the top, and just one on the way down. Lots of snowmobile tracks just outside the wilderness boundary (and some inside...), but didn't see or hear any snowmobiles today.
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