We started our hike around noon on a Sunday after driving through rain to the trailhead. The clouds parted to provide partial sun on the way up the trail. The trail is lovely and well-maintained. It's easy to keep a fast pace on as there aren't lots of rocks and roots to trip on as you may find on some trails. We took the left (steeper) route up. The last 800 feet gain or so was significant snow. We found it helpful but not necessary to use poles/traction microspikes. Perhaps it's conditioning, but we didn't find this trail as difficult as stated- in less than 2 hours we were at the summit. We put on our warm layers (it was COLD and windy at the summit) and enjoyed lunch before continuing along the ridge for the descent. There is plenty of snow along the ridge, enough to posthole in if you aren't careful. This slowed us down a bit, but not too bad. Lovely views along the ridge! We'll have to come back on a day with more snow. Several streams are running right now, beautiful mossy rocks. Gorgeous old growth forest. For those in shape, this is a wonderful hike. And even if you're not in shape, there are lots of benches on the ascent- you could go about 1/2 way and still have a lovely view after a beautiful hike through the old growth. Our GPS states about 7 miles round trip and 3600 gain. It didn't agree well with the stated mileage or the summit elevation. Took us 4 hours rt including the stop at the top.

I think this is the BEST time of year to do Mount Rose! 4 minutes of video highlights: http://youtu.be/1_jo3Q71VP4 The normally dry creeks are full of cascading pools, waterfalls. New green is everywhere along the first couple miles. The little yellow 'violets' are everywhere. Once you reach the snow, as long as you have spikes or crampons, the steeper part (turn left not right) of the summit loop is a lot of fun, more of a Class 2 scramble than a hike. Although forecasted for no precipitation, a lot of snow dumped on me the last half mile. Luckily, it cleared enough to get some panoramas from the top.

Mt. Rose Trail Crew does a stupendous job maintaining this trail – wow!! There are no issues on the trail, a few spots with a little water but nothing problematic, and A TON of very useful checks steps. This is one of those delightful spring jaunts that reminds a person just how out of shape she’s let herself get over the winter. Time to hit it hard before I don a full pack!! Pics are at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/51278183@N05/sets/72157643185215773/. No problems to the parking area besides a few potholes to avoid once SR 119 turned to gravel. We were the only car there on a mostly sunny Sunday and ended up seeing only 2 other hikers on the trail the whole time. After crossing two bridges over now-roaring creeks that drain into Lake Cushman, the trail enters the woods and climbs steadily but reasonably. Trillium, salal, and yellow violet are blooming with Oregon grape nearly in bloom. There is a really nice bench and viewpoint at one mile. After that, the climb remains steady but at a much steeper grade. At 3,000 feet you reach Horse Camp, and the loop for the summit trail. I spun randomly and ended up facing right, so that’s the way we went. Not surprisingly, this is the longer way. We encountered steady snow on the trail at 3,500’ but only about an inch deep. Because it’s melting, it is slick in spots. Traction or poles are not needed but helpful. By 2.5 miles and ~3,600 feet, our little dog was post holing in about 8” of snow and looked pretty cold. I wasn’t up to carrying him so we turned around there. I always like leaving some motivation to come back which we will certainly do.

Lots of snow on top, you'll want boots an gaiters. It's cold up there too, please do SAR a favor and don't treat it like a jogging track. I saw two guys there with no packs and dressed in cotton shirts, running shorts and running shoes. It was almost 2pm and they were headed up just past horse camp. Even if they were able to keep moving they must have gotten very cold in the wind and blowing snow. There is a blow down on the longer loop just above horse camp, it's tricky for me to navigate due to the slope and my short legs. http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/2014/02/mount-rose-sunrise-dial-ride.html for all of the pictures. Mason Transit Dial-a-ride does serve this trail head.

The lack of snow is something else. It was easy to do the entire loop, with routefinding problems. There is one blow down about 200 feet below the summit on the steeper loop route. Full trip report on Walks with Moss: http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/2014/01/mount-rose-during-drought-of-2014.html