My intent was to check out the trail conditions above Horse Camp in anticipation of a trip later in the week. Started hiking at 10:30, two other spaces in parking area but plenty of room along the road. The first half of the unpaved mile to the trailhead is a little washboardy, and there's a big hole right where the pavement ends. Watch out for holes in the 2nd half mile, they're easy to get around and doable for sedans, high clearance not needed.
The trail to Horse Camp is as usual with lots of loose surface pebbles and some rocky sections. Took the left loop from Horse Camp at 3000'. Snow patches began roughly around 3500' and steadily increased. There was a good dirty boot track in the snow, which was firm but not icy. Going was slower than I anticipated due to small trees/branches creating minor detours. Several badly eroded sections of trail were snow-free but with slick mud and roots to get past. I ran out of time and headed back from about 3800'. I strongly recommend micro-spikes and poles for this hike, even without snow.
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