Road is in great shape as is fairly well commented on in other reports. Below 4,400 feet the trail was bare and there was just one blowdown to cross. It’s a slightly awkward height but perfectly manageable.
Patchy snow started for us around 4,400’ with continuous snow about 4,800’. We took the summer trail and on the ascent we never quite felt it was necessary to put spikes on, but it was a tough call on the final traverse around to the west side of the summit.
We spent some time taking in the spectacular views before heading down. Decided on spikes for the descent and I was very glad to have them. The snow isn’t quite deep enough for the steps to be flat, so the descent is with your toes pointed downhill, making good footwork necessary if you don’t have traction devices.
Ice axe never felt necessary, we didn’t bring ours. There’s one area just below the final 50’ or so to the summit which has a couple steps on the descent which require care with a pretty long runout, but that’s the only area where I would’ve even considered one.
Leaving the lower trailhead at 2 pm it was fairly full with cars parked up and down the road, but there was space for a few more so parking was probably doable all day.
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