Started our hike just after 8am. We were the sixth car parked along the road before the washout (0.4 mi from the TH). For now, only the boldest 4x4 drivers with off-road tires may be able to navigate the loose rock flow covering the road many feet deep (we didn't see anyone try this). There are a fair number of decent spots to park along the road before the washout, but I can see how this may become congested as we get further into summer. There is nowhere near the capacity of the actual TH down along the road. It is clear from all the "no parking" signs closer to the actual TH that this destination occasionally gets to over-capacity. Maybe it would be best to hit this one on a weekday once we get into July to avoid the inevitable parking jam.
The trail had half a dozen blow downs in the bottom 1000', but none after that. We hit solid snow about 200' below the pass and we transitioned from following the trail to following footprints in the snow. It was a warm day, so the snow was relatively soft and consolidated which limited post-holing, but we still had to watch out for places where you could break thru especially near the edges of the melt. I am guessing we deviated from the official route just a bit near the top to stay off some of the steeper snow-covered terrain. Surprisingly, once you start heading down towards Blanca Lake from near Virgin Lake the snow dissipates fairly quickly, and I removed my micro spikes for most of the decent. There was also solid snow right above the shore of Blanca Lake, but I am guessing about two more weeks will allow enough snowmelt to follow the trail all of the way in with only limited snow patches remaining to cross after that.
Bugs weren't horrible, but certainly were around, especially near areas with snowmelt and also right by the lake. PSA: If you need to take a dump on a hike, please do it off-trail and bury six inches deep if possible. Burying in snow doesn't count as it will eventually melt out exposing you sins to all others coming up after you.
Comments