chirp from UNITED STATES writes:

Climbed March 20. (Goal is to climb every month, 7 to go.)
Snow pack comparable to usual late June, maybe less. Scary for H2O situation.
Went up in 3:30 hours from St Mary's/Fall River Rd trailhead.
Gaiters and ski or trekking poles w/ski baskets recommended for occasional postholing, especially on mid-p.m. descent when snow gets soft around the edges.
Good conditioning hike for 14ers - trails, scrambling ridges, steep couloirs from lakes on NE face.
$5/vehicle parking fee at trailhead. Most guide books don't mention this.

2012-05-20