We started a little later than anticipated. We were going to try a different route, but the road leading to it was closed. While the Marion campground was closed, there was still access to the little dirt parking lot.  We got there around 8:45 a.m. and there were already about 10 cars there. We saw a huge rattle snake about 1.5 miles in, right along a stream we were about to cross. We sat for about 10 minutes for it to finally get off the trail. The trail was very pretty, with seasonal streams due to melting snow, view of surrounding mountains and lots of trees and vegetation.  The weather was great, although it did get very windy after a while at the peak (and the wind was chilly!!!).  But I did manage to take a short nap at the top overlooking the Palm Dessert.