The road was recently graded so is mostly smooth to the trailhead (for now, the potholes are already starting to reappear).
The trail was snow free and clear for about 2.75 miles (about 4400'). There are 6 small (about 6" diameter) poles across the trail before the Wilderness boundary. All are very easy for a hiker to get over or around.
Snow first shows up around 4400' and becomes solid soon after. There is a slide alder mess (see photo) at the first big snow patch which required leaving the trail to get past. I turned around soon after because I wasn't interested in spending a lot of time on snow and it was about another mile to the lookout. The snow was in good shape (at least to the point where I turned around), with minimal postholing.
This trail has multiple small stream crossings, but I was able to keep my feet dry using poles.
The color palate was predominantly green (moss, ferns, etc.), but intermittent splashes of color with calypso orchids, trillium, and yellow violets. I also saw some wild ginger blooming by the trailhead, and a couple of glacier lilies near the snowline.
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