Give it a week or five. This trail boasts some incredible views from its steep slopes into a lush valley below, as well as a healthy bloom of wildflowers from trilliums to violets. But the snow is currently covering enough of the trail that you won't get terribly far before you have to turn back. The snow is beginning to melt and is quite slick, and the switchbacks are sheer and narrow enough that you can't cross the snowfields without risking a fall. I imagine things will be thawed, dry, and safe in a few weeks.

One other note: the guide says that there is a toilet at the trailhead. While it's technically true that there is a vault toilet there, it is unmaintained and an NPS flyer attached to the door suggests that you would be using it at your own peril.

Attempted to hike this trail today but not prepared for the snow. Sauk Mountain road has some potholes and is a bit bumpy but manageable to drive through. About a mile from the trailhead there is snow on the road that is not passable. We parked on the road and attempted the hike, but did not have appropriate gear. Recommend snowshoes. Also heard some avalanches while we were there. Heard quite a few grouse in the trees.

We were hoping to make an attempt at Sauk, but the snow level was a little lower than we were hoping for. Our f150 made it about a mile from the th, maybe a little less, and there were only other tracks from people trying for about 200’ further. We hiked to the t.h. Which was over 12” of snow, and if my hiking partner wasn’t under the age of 10 I would’ve gone for the summit, but we turned around at that point. Not much longer and it will be far from accessible. Just make sure your vehicle is snow capable if your going to keep driving, watched a little sedan get stuck.

Thank you Micro-spikes!  Fortunately all four of us had them along and ended up using them almost immediately.  Two other parties turned around within a mile due to snow.  Snow at the parking lot and up the trail.  Probably 10 inches at the top.  Gorgeous!  But this trail is not for the faint-hearted this late in the season - I might suggest waiting until Spring:)  

Arrived at 11:30am and had the entire trail to ourselves. Clear and sunny at the parking lot and cloudy at the peak, with the lake visible in and out of the clouds. Some pretty fall colors. Sad to see the shortcuts eroding the trail in places, even with signage asking hikers to stay on the designated trail. Saw marmots and chipmunks!