Some snowmelt running across the road could turn into ice when the temperatures drop, but the road is otherwise clear and dry. Main parking lot was about a third full at Noon on a Friday--and trails were similarly not crowded. Crust is pretty firm--varying from icy in the shade, crunchy in the sun, and soft/loose granular in the very warm slopes with direct sun.
Seems most snowshoers were following what in the summer would be the western arm of the Skyline Loop Trail. This starts at the parking lot adjacent to the Henry Jackson Visitor Center and, as the description above states, has you walk past the large restroom building, then heading up hill. Unlike the description above, however, the majority of tracks head in a northwesterly direction (which misses Myrtle Falls) and keeps you left (west) of the steep south-facing bowl with the "high likelihood of sliding." Numerous tracks meander in this general direction and then turn right (north) to follow the ridge between the steep bowl (on the right) and the Nisqually River valley (on the left). Eventually all the skiers or hikers we encountered then turn right (somewhat east) to climb a fairly steep west-facing slope.
This was the toughest part of the hike. At 1pm the crust was still fairly firm so we were glad for the crampon-like spikes on the toes of our snowshoes holding us to the steep, slick face. Some hikers were using crampons and ice axes, but most used snowshoes and did just fine.
Atop the steep slope is Panorama Point. Views today were gorgeous with a clear view of Hood in the distance (and of course Adams to the left, St. Helens to the right). It was windy along the ridge, so despite hiking in t-shirts, we were glad to have insulating jackets, hats, and mitts to put on.
Descending the same way we came up--via the steep west-facing slope--was intimidating at first. Others started sliding on their bottoms (intentionally) close to the top of the slope, though they had ice axes to control their speed. We joined in on the sliding fun about a third of the way down, using hiking poles to keep speed down. There's an obvious groove cutting down the right of the slope where everyone seems to slide. By the time we were coming down it (about 2pm), the snow was softer/gentler and more forgiving.
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