I went up the main trail Sat 6/18. The main impression left from this hike was the same as from my previous trips: you meet really good people on the trail...
Started a little after 3am. Beautiful stars. Followed the main trail to the top of the rocks just above Mirror Lake. To this point, there is not much snow, just some small patches to cross and it is no problem. The puddles of water on the trail had frozen crust on them at this time.
Above Mirror Lake, can move out onto the snowfield and follow this up to Consultation Lake. This is a pretty straight shot. Then continue on to Trail Camp. The snow was very firm in the morning, no need for crampons due to low angle and rough surface. At Trail Camp it was colder, so I added some clothing, crampons, and gators. Filled up water here with iodine tablets.
Traverse over to the snow chute to the north of the switchbacks. At this point, crampons were a big help and I wouldn't want to go without them. The snow up to Trail Crest remained firm until I got to the very top where it was starting to soften. Left crampons at Trail Crest, since they wouldn't be practical beyond. Above that, the trail is mostly snow-free, except the final snowfield. This was still hard, but the suncups made it easier to walk on. Summit was clear and devoid of snow.
Back at Trail Crest, I was glad to get there before the shade hit the snow chute. I was able to carefully glissade in a shallow chute, noting that it was starting to get an icy crust. ALSO there are a few rock surfaces just starting to show! Back to the car at just before 7pm.
Some of the cool people I met were Adam, Michael, Chad, Pat, guy from Colorado (don't remember his name)...
