First off... If you head to the summit and find my baby blue Mountain Hardware beanie with a elastic neck leash, near the summit, please do let me know! 2064912574.
Hiked to the balcony. Trail was in great shape with just a couple muddy spots and a trace of snow at the main trail intersection at the top. Very windy today! On the way up to the Museum there was sparse traces of compact snow and ice. Zero wind at this spot. From the logging truck, for the first time, I continued up the "road" along the creek through brush, shallow snow and fallen trees. It was actually very easy going and it connected up to the main trail without backtracking or losing elevation. You also bypass crossing the creek over the trail even though it's super-easy to step on stones and stay completely dry, as I took that path down. I did not bring poles, gaiters or spikes and just had trail runners. Poles would be recommended since the footing was precariously stepping in previously frozen footsteps, occasionally 6" or more deep. Outside of the footsteps the crust sometimes supported weight but post holing sucks so I just hiked in the steps. Snow depths ranged from just a few inches to maybe just over a foot near the summit in open areas. I went all the way to the West summit where there was a blue sky and beautiful view of Seattle and the Olympics. Going down I stayed in the holes where it was frozen but then when it got softer it was nicer just to plunge step and jog down in the shallow fresh snow. Hardly any wind all the way up to the summit. Photos and GPS in the Strava link.
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