As previously reported, I needed to park 2 switchbacks (.5 mi) before the parking lot due to snow on the road. When I arrived at 10 am, there were already 4 vehicles. When I finished the hike, a couple of large trucks had pushed through and parked 1 switchback below the parking lot and there were a couple of dozen cars parked on the road.
Trail is clear of major snow until about 5,000'. These patches of snow are pretty steep, so some may be more comfortable having poles. As a heads up, there really isn't any place to sit on or by the trail the and enjoy the view, if you are planning on turning around at the snow. Snow becomes continuous at 5,300', where you need to cross a snowfield for about 1/3 of a mile before gaining the ridge and end of the trail. This section of snowfield is not as steep as the patches earlier on the trail.
Views from the top were AMAZING! I did not scramble over to the true summit (one more hump over), but am told that it is doable with a dog.
Speaking of dogs, there were a lot of well behaved dogs on the trail. Many were off leash, so be careful if you have a reactive dog, or children that are afraid of dogs.
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