The trail was in good condition as it climbed persistently up through the forest
with only very few views E toward Thielsen,
and up toward the looming summit of Bailey.
The trail largely disappeared under snow at about 7400' and from there I just followed the ridgeline up toward the summit (arrow),
passing by the crater on its E side and going over the south summit.
The actual trail swings W of the crater and regains the ridge above the south summit but it was easier to just follow the snow up the center of the ridge. The snow had melted off the ridge N of the south summit and it looked like an easy shot to the higher north summit. From here, the trail skirts the ridge to the left (T) and crosses a talus slope before regaining the ridge.
Unfortunately, this talus was covered with snow that had melted down to a density that really discouraged sidehill step kicking. I gave it a shot but the footing was precarious (hadn't thought to bring crampons) and I got to a section where the runout was long and a slip would have (at best) been painful. So I worked my way back to the keyhole in the ridge,
and climbed the ridge (R) itself. This proved to be surprisingly easy and a lot less nerve wracking than crossing hard snow. Soon I was on the summit,
which had, from 1923 until 1952, been graced by a lookout (you can still see the eyebolt anchors just downslope).
The view was astounding! To the N, Diamond Pk (D) and the Sisters (S),
to the E, Thielsen and Howlock (H),
and to the S, Mt. Scott (S), Crater Lake (C), Garfield Pk (G), Union Pk (U), and McLoughlin (M).
After a quick lunch on the summit, I headed down as the clouds started to build.
A great hike / scramble (hike only after the snow clears) leading to HUGE views! Seriously worth the effort (9.8 mi, 3100' EG)!
