Challenge Completed!!!

We got to the trailhead at 7:30 a.m. with plenty of parking (the perk of hiking on a weekday!!!).  There was virtually no snow up to ski hut.  But after ski hut, the trail was pretty much covered with snow. We took the ski hut route up with our microspikes and trekking poles. The snow was pretty firm and the trail was pretty easy to find up until probably around the last 1/2 mile to the summit. It was kind of windy at the peak but we still managed to relax and took a short nap while bathing in the warmth of the sun. On the way down right after ski hut, we encountered an injured hiker who was attempting to reach the peak via one of the chutes. There was a rock slide and one of the rocks hit his left quad. We accompanied him for the last 2.5 miles of the trail at a very slow pace, but was rewarded with a very pretty sunset.