Weather reports said that the day would be sunny then partly cloudy, even mountain forcast.com said so. The day started cloudy and by the time we got to the peak, it was foggy. On the way down, the fog turned into snow falling from the sky! Unexpected, but awesome! The trail was completely covered in snow from the parking lot to the peak. The rangers were out checking depths and at the spot that we crossed paths, the snow was 4 feet deep. Other places we could see the flora, so it was only inches there. It was a cold hike, which was good because, like ogres and onions, we had layers. We got off trail a few times because of the snow covering the ground, but because of the mostly flat terrain, our map, and GPS app, we just needed to head in our general baring and we got to the peak and back without any problems.

You are required to have chains, but not required to install when we went. Micro-spikes and trecking poles highly recommended because the snow is compacted down and icy at times.