The trailhead was busy with several groups (one with the maximum allowed) at 8:15am when I arrived. It's not just summer that this is a popular place to be!
The trail was in great condition with only a few brief areas of mud up to the talus fields below the Bandera spur. The rock was intermittently very slick with a near-invisible icy coating that made footing a bit insecure. Above the spur there was a gradual increase in snow which actually made footing easier - excepting in those places where the snow had melted. I was concerned about the rocky lake-outflow crossing but didn't have any difficulty.
Going beyond Mason Lake there are some bigger muddy areas including large puddles dominating the trail, but mostly snowy reaching 4" depth. The trail is mostly well established though there are some diversions as various trail options have been explored. The snow depth increases only slightly to perhaps 6" by the time you get to the spur that does the final ascent. This was, as usual, slightly tricky with occasional high rocky steps that can be challenging on both ascent and descent. I was the first person today getting to the top since the last snowfall (I'm not giving the rabbit that had followed the trail for the last half mile any credit). Two parties were in the final ascent as I descended. By 1pm the rocks that had been slick were no longer icy.
Defiance has some great views and today there was a wonderful panorama.
Stats: 10.4 miles RT, nearly 4000' including the almost 300' regained on "descent".
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