I arrived at about 12pm to find the parking lot full. The first 1000 ft. of elevation gain, from 3400 ft. to 4400 ft., is through dense stands of rhodedendron. However, they still seem to be a few weeks away from blooming. The trail gains elevation relentlessly. In 4.25 miles I don't think more than 50 yards of it is flat. Snow patches begin just a little below a clearing. The clearing is completely snow-covered and only footprints lead the way to where the trail continues on the other side. Snow patches continue to dot the trail for the next 200 vertical feet or so, to just past the junction with the Silver Lakes spur. From there it's melted out all the way to the summit of Townsend. Views from the top are decent for an early-season hike. It was crowded though, in one photo I count 12 people and a dog. The top is a nice example of alpine flora with tiny grasses, flowers, and lichen-covered rock. I reached it in 2-2.5 hours. On the way back down clouds rolled in from the southwest and I was serenaded by lots of thunder but never any lightning. I did see a couple of deer however, and heard reports of a bear spotted near the summit. It's 2880 ft. of vertical gain, 8.5 miles RT, and if you were in a hurry it can be done in about 4-4.5 hours.
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