The hint of summer weather brought out a large group who were not scared off by the potential for snow on the trail. The warm day on Saturday appears to have melted off quite a bit of snow that had been encountered by another group on Friday:

The trail was mostly dry up to the bend where it goes west below the summit ridge and from there it was snowy but quite manageable:

The ascent up the north facing slope had some snow patches and the summit ridge was fairly clear under gorgeous sunshine:

There was one snow drift to climb:

and then it was lolling in the sun for lunch:

The view of the snowy peaks to the west was admired and entertainment was provided by the antics of some golden mantled ground squirrels and foraging grey-crowned rosy-finches. After a leisurely period of basking in the sun we descended by the alternate route which was mostly snow-free. A few clamatis and calypso orchids were noted on the descent to the hot cars.

Thanks to participants Ghulam & Waheed, Peter, Barbara, a jet-lagged Dorothy-Ann, Laszlo, Jean, Arnold, Nancy, Barbara, Bill, Aldis, Francisco, Maria, Sim, Bernie, Rosanne and Philip. Ron, C/S/P.

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