Did this one on a cool Friday. Got there at around 8am with one other car at the trailhead. The first couple miles are highlighted by a couple of stream crossings, but these weren't very difficult.
Eventually, the grade becomes slightly steeper and the switchbacks start. Plenty of wildflowers surround you on either side. You're under tree cover initially, but eventually the switchbacks have you crossing an exposed section multiple times (with trees on either side). The wildflowers are less frequent and the switchbacks aren't as gradual any more: thus begins the challenging part part of the hike.
Eventually, only collapsed trees that surround you and the switchbacks become slightly less steep. At this point you see your destination: a tall pile of rocks (the tallest in the vicinity) on which a fire lookout once stood. Continue up the trail,which takes you onto a ridge to the right of that pinnacle. At this point, snow covers the trail and most trail markers. If you're lucky, hikers before you will show the path. If not, just keep the peak in your sight and head towards it.
After a scramble near the end, you're greeted with a great 360-degree panorama of the surrounding peaks, well worth the struggle to get there!
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