As others have said, the road between Big Creek and the lower trailhead is in good condition. I parked around 11:15 and planned to hike uphill, then trail run back down as best I could.
On the way up, I started noticing a little snow near the summer route sign. I didn’t think the trail’s footing was meaningfully affected until roughly a mile later, closer to the metal locker that sits on climber’s right as you ascend the scree/rock field. At that point, there was more substantial snow, especially along the ramp toward the route’s saddle (visible from the upper trailhead parking lot). But thanks to sizable boot prints and some patience, I was not slipping and sliding in my trail runners, though most hikers had poles and/or microspikes.
The summit view was as beautiful as ever. It was slow going heading back down on the softening snow, but once I made it to the summer route sign, I was able to jog back to the lower trailhead. I don’t think there will be many more days like this on Ellinor’s summer route until next year, so this felt like a special one!
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