On Saturday we got up and started towards main trail to trail crest. In snow/winter conditions all the switchbacks are covered in snow or ice depending on the weather conditions. Here you might need crampons/ice axe. (They are not a necessity. I didn't need them going up but did going down when the sun was starting to go behind the mountain.) .
That is pretty scary advise, especially for people not getting back to Trail Crest until later in the afternoon when the shadows will make for potentially icy conditions. You will not know if you need them for the descent until you are on the return trip. I am glad you made it safely, but there are many stories of people not being so lucky under similar conditions.
