Dog Mountain — Sunday, Apr. 30, 2023

Showed up to the parking lot around 730 am with the lot about 10% full and shuttles starting to come in. Rangers at the trailhead checking all permits. The toilet is a small jaunt up the hill and was well stocked. Took a nap, made food, then started hiking around 930. Partial sun for the first half then it started clouding over above the first lookout; we were IN the actual cloud above that level. Extremely windy and socked in at the top, no balsamroot blooms, super chilly. I was very happy to have a jacket and face covering. Spent no time at the top due to the cold and made it back down in 3 hours round trip.
Overall the trail is in good condition and pretty through the trees. Just a bit early in this looong Spring to see the flowers.