[chep]

Snow patches just after leaving the waterfall area on the trail. Once the ridge crest is gained above that it is snow free for a short distance. Then again there is more snow until the end of the trail. Gaiters were helpful but not mandatory. There was some minor postholing but nothing too bad and I believe snowshoes would have been more of a problem than a helper had we brought them and tried to use them today. Just below the top; a few hundred yards there is a small clearing. Just prior to exiting the clearing into the trees on the left it was a little bit icy. I used crampons going down through this section but not on the way up. I'd say there is 3 feet of snow or so up near the top of the mountain. I did not encounter much wildlife. Except for one red tailed hawk and a few squirrels.