Started at 730am, trailhead parking was full by 715!  Get there early!  First part of the trail along the river is buggy and there are LOTS of bees up towards the peak where the manzanita is blooming. Switchbacks to the saddle are intense but shaded in the morning.  Trail to the peak has little shade and can get hot but the views are great.  A couple of downed trees but nothing too bad.

On the way back I decided to take the Chapman trail.  I don't think I'd recommend that!  The trail is exposed, hot and not very well maintained.  It also has several sections covered by scree that can be a little tricky to navigate.  It's quieter though which is nice.  I only saw 1 group the whole time versus the crowds on Icehouse.