Doug did a quick trip up yesterday (to the logs), snow starts on the main trail about the log area before Lone Pine Lake this area and above to Outpost camp area is some what shaded so expect snow/ice.
Caution just past the you need a permit sign the trail follows up a steep slope that is often icy and the trail is gone or tracks will take different directions Left tracks lead to the steepest area and often will lead to nowhere, right side goes up to the small saddle before Outpost camp .
You may see tracks after the log area that continue slightly right of the trail , this is a winter route and can be drifted in , large boulders and steep sections and the outlet of Lone Pine Creek is in this narrow canyon so you could be traveling over the creek Snow Bridges could break through.
On the follow the track method reminds us of the year the retired Army guy and his wife came in early May of a heavy snow year, they ask about conditions we report most turning around the first mile, He says I have years of experience map reading and extreme travel . He said they would try the next day to see how far they could go. Next day they take off and made it where other had turned around. Now the years of experience pays off he has his wife wait as he makes a large loop to the left returns not finding the trail then makes a large loop to the right comes back again not finding the trail. They come back to the store reporting as everyone else the trail is covered.
Until the snow cleared that year all we heard " I followed the track that went in a circle "
With all the mapping apps now I can see a plus and a very strong minus , these mapping apps follow a dry trail , the real world condition might indicate following the app route isn't a safe choice and your skills should be questioned before making route choices .
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