This snow shoe was done on the 14th so I am a little slow. For starters if you come on the weekend a shovel is handy to have so you dont park IN the road. One can put there snow shoes on from the start. I would have to say that this hike has a pretty gradual grade the whole way up. There are some steeper spots but over all its a pretty simple snow shoe. I am not sure why people complain about missing the trail. There is an app called All Trails that is FREE. It shows the trail and where you are at any one time. I am not sure why people are going out into the cold and snow with no idea where the trails are.
From the main road to the trail intersection where you have to lave the road is about 1.8 miles, about half way. The ridge is one of the best parts of this hike. Its sad to see the fire damage but that is all part of nature. As long as you stay up on the ridge and head upwards you will be fine. This is also the part where you will need wind protection due to the gusts and exposure. The final climb is short and steep. Sadly we had some partial blue skies at the end but it never did open up to shows its views. This is one of those hikes where you want the day to be clear and wind free.
As for the snowshoes vs hiking, that just depends on the weather. The hardness of the snow can change. We had one in our group who didnt have snow shoes and a few opted for spikes on the way down. Part of the enjoyment of the hike in my opinion is the snow shoe part.
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