Started at 4:30a on a Sunday from the trailhead to avoid most of the crowds (and to assure parking), so hiked the first easy mile or so in the dark. Had the place mostly to myself until near the approach to the peak (which was the most tiring part of the climb for me). Even at the top, there were problem only a dozen and a half or so people – with 8 or so in a single group. The weather was perfect, but the wind was steady at the top, so the shelters were good and blocked the wind perfectly. What was surprising was the hike back down ‘the bowl' trail.  It is very steep and (more importantly) very slippery because it was mostly scree. I would not recommend it without hiking poles (a young couple far ahead of me was having to slide down many parts on their butt because they had no poles to steady them). I was very happy with the path of this route because I would have died if it had been reversed and I tried hiking UP the bowl rather than down it.

At the end of the hike, I hit the falls. I recommend this highly on a warm day. Standing under the cold torrent is wonderful! And, at least on this day, there probably weren't but a couple dozen people scattered around the whole area at a time – and plenty of time to spend under the falls if one wanted. In fact, on this day, people were rappelling down the falls. It was worth it just to watch that up close. All in all a great hike.