Route is dry up until James's upper N slope where boot-packed snow fully covers the trail. I would highly recommend microspikes at least for the descent down this section as the snow is quite icy and slick. Winds were forecast as 5-10 mph towards the S/SE, barely felt any wind all day even up on the ridge or upper slopes. The pointy N ridge seemed like a fun class 3/4 time, not sure if anyone's written about it or if it actually goes like that the whole way. East Portal is such a gorgeous area! The trail is decent and gentle, the trees are lush and draped in moss, the rushing S Boulder is stays with you nearly the whole way, and there's plenty of neat structures to explore along the trail.
     
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