We camped on the Colchuck beach before heading up and down into the core for the day. Trail to Colchuck, despite some social trails off to the sides, is easy to follow and in good condition. Snow on the upper half of Aasgard had been compacted by the steady stream of people passing our site starting around 5:30. We estimated 300+ on their way up.
Maybe 4-5 inches of snow, plenty of packed boot trail to follow; we found our microspikes useful but many people were fine without them. Maybe 7 inches of snow blanketing the core, again the through trail was compacted and obvious. Carried gaiters but didn't bother putting them on.
Larch in the Colchuck basin are turning, many still green and just a few in the early gold phase. In the upper core I'd guess they're close to dropping leaves.
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