Got to the trailhead at 6 AM and the parking lot, as well as much of the road, was filled with parked cars. I imagine the lot had been full for at least an hour since, according to the ranger I spoke with, permits are temporarily not required to hike the peak due to COVID office closures.

Started at 6:20 AM and made the summit by 9:45 AM. Followed instructions from HikingGuy when there were no signs and found the trail easy to follow. The incline was less intense than Wilson and the altitude was a non-existent factor for me unlike (last year's hike on) Baldy. Noting crazy challenging aside from the typical “I'm hiking a mountain and discovering parts of my legs I never knew about” soreness.

I saw a few people wearing masks, and tried to keep my scarf around my mouth and nose for the first few miles, but most people were carrying on as usual. Hopefully the blustery wind (most at the Saddle and on a few switchbacks) carried anything ominous away.

Views were spectacular! Weather was amazing and I wish I'd had more time at the peak but, knowing I tend to lose momentum when I sit, I decided to make the descent around 10:20. I arrived back at the trailhead around 1 PM and was extremely grateful I had brought my own toilet paper… the bathrooms were destroyed.

Hope others find this hike as beautiful and, for everyone's sake, slightly less crowded than I did!