I showed up before the sunrise so I could get an early start and beat the crowds. I did a loop using chantry flat, sturtevant trail, and winter creek trail (it's on alltrails). I made my way down from chantry flat to sturtevant falls, which was beautiful. I continued through a few campgrounds (the spruce grove has a really cool toilet!!) and made it to sturtevant camp. After this, the next 3 miles up to the peak were hard. The first 1.4 are the worst, then once I hit the “halfway” sign, it became switchbacks which made it easier. I thought I heard a bear but I also could have been hallucinating. I finally made it up to the top and went straight to the painted sign on echo rock to take a selfie with mount baldy in the background. There was some snow around all the equipment but none on the roads. I wandered around the complex of telescopes and buildings and visited the museum. I ate my lunch at a picnic bench outside the cosmic cafe (which is closed for the winter) and then it got super windy and cold. I took this as my cue to leave and I started on my way back down. This way was steep and my knees were starting to feel it. There were a few downed trees that I had to maneuver around which didn't help my knees. During this section, I didn't see another person for about an hour and a half, just lots of squirrels running around in the trees and yelling. I hit a small uphill section that I was grateful for because it relieved my knees for a little bit. I finally made it back to the parking lot and was shocked to see so many people around. The lots were full and people were parked and walking from all the way up the road. I was happy I got there early to get the first spot.