Total moving time: 2 hours
Total time: 3 hours
Started from upper trailhead around 0930. Road up was rough, maybe a couple inches of wet, melting snow. The trailhead bathroom is NOT open. First quarter of a mile of trail was snow free, however we opted to gear up with micro-spikes and poles in the parking lot. Trail is in good condition all the way up until the trail split for the winter and summer route.
Due to the nature of our group, we elected to take the summer route. Snow was constant, maybe 6 inches as we reached the traverse. I would say microspikes were necessary at least. We had to post-hole on our way up. Ice really began to pick up at the ridge. On the shimmy around the rock beneath the summit, ice buildup was significant and extreme caution should be taken. It is definitely a no-fall-zone. The summit was rather smooth sailing. The cloud cover was perfect for some amazing views, allowing us to see Mt. Olympus, Constance Bowl and Mt. Constance, Mt. Pershing, and a beautiful view of Rainier. And, obviously, Mt. Washington.
The descent would be my biggest caution. One of our members lipped coming down of the summit before the shimmy. He self-arrested however lost a pole which fell down the cliff north of the summit. There's lots of slipping potential, however the descent was a well-earned break on our legs.
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