Started 6:18am cloudy with morning dew in the air. Headlamps needed until the sun rose. Very well marked trail. Very few snow tracks after the ridge at 5 mile marker. The hike was brutal. Made a wrong turn that took me to the communications towers instead of the cafe. It added 1.5 miles in ankle deep and slushy snow. It slowed me down.

at the cafe 11:27am

restrooms were open and heated. Water bottle fill station was working. Benches free and clear of snow so enjoy your lunch at the top. I had a sandwich and chips with hot tea and beef jerky. Stayed for an hour and a half at the cafe.

back at the car by 5:45pm. I was dying. I should have brought three pairs of sock. Trekking poles helped with the hike highly recommend. Microspikes too. Didn’t need the spikes until the ridge at the 5 mile marker tho. I brought 2.5 liters of water and drank it all.