Great 1-day mid-week weather forecast prompted an escape for a quick peek at trail/snow conditions up on the Ellinor trail.
Road access is good to both lower and upper trailheads; some potholes and a couple of logs are easy to work around on the upper road.
No snow on trail until just before the junction of the summer trail and route to climbers chute at about 4400,' where you quickly hit several feet of spring snow. (See photo) A few folks trying the chute turned around due to discontinuity of snow in route (major holes).
I and several other parties fussed around trying to find (successfully) the many bits and pieces of the summer trail interspersed with the nearly continuous snow. Reached the nice rock overlook (about 4700') for lunch, and descended thereafter. From there up the trail looks to be continuous snow up into the high basin and left across to the summit ridge. (See photo) I'd bet the switchbacks up the summit ridge are relatively clear due to southern exposure. Several folks with a bit more time in their day gave it a go.
Nice trip. Still lots of snow up there...
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