It was an ABSOLUTELY wonderful day at the lookout (speaking of which, someone seems to have broken the lid off the ammo box (summit register storage container) and there was a frozen mass and ice in the box))
The trail makes it pretty much to the Wilderness Boundary sign and beyond without much hint of snow. After that some patchy stuff and then....
It was a slushy slog up the ridge. Stayed out of the avalanche gully but it was probably safe and stayed just to its left wandering up through soft snow through and around trees till it opens up. Someone else kicked steps. It may have been the skiers who we met pretty much down close to the trailhead. They apparently were on the trail before 6:30am. We probably started up between 9 and 9:30am
The snow was steep and sloppy. Finally, at about 4,900 feet we crossed the rock ridge to the western slope below the lookout. Much firmer snow and almost a direct line up to the lookout.
About 6 of us shared the snow and exposed rocks at the lookout. It was really quite wonderful up there. No wind which had been blowing for a while on the climb. The clouds cleared off and we lounged up there about 45 minutes.
Did a bunch of glissading on our up route and then slogged through even slushier snow and post holed and slid on the exposed bear grass and other vegetation. The up-steps such as they were were pretty much obliterated by all of the downhill hikers.
The snow really is disappearing fast. I've been there in May with more snow in all exposures.
All in all - GREAT TRIP but pretty darn tiring.....
Photo 1 - up just left of the avalanche gully.
Photo 2 - the lookout and rainier
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