We got kind of a late start from the trailhead (5:45am), so let me just say right off the bat that that may have contributed greatly to our misfortune. From the trailhead up until about the base of the peak itself was mostly clear sailing, with only a few snow patches here and there. Once the real altitude gain started, though, things got a little dicey. There are still a couple fairly significant snowfields starting at maybe 12,000 ft that might admittedly have been much easier to cross with an earlier start. For us, however, it turned into a grueling post-holing purgatory. I was breaking trail for the group and at one point had my entire right leg sink in up to my hip and get stuck so badly that I had to literally be dug out. We talked to one seemingly veteran of the mountains that claimed all snow could be avoided, but if that is true it is only so for more experienced/daring folks than us. Another guy we talked to who also seemed to know what he was talking about said that it was hell and unavoidable in parts, so I guess it depends. At any rate, there was snow basically all the way to the summit, which we fell about 100 ft short of gaining because it seemed a little too dodgy for our liking. The hike back down was a pain in the ass with all the snow melt and wet feet, but at least the higher fields are suitable for glissading. Maybe give this one another week if you want to avoid snow.
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