Conditions were pretty sweet after Trail Crest too. Snow was powdery mostly unconsolidated with a 1/2 inch styrofoam crust beginning to form. Thin single track with a bit of crumbling wrapped around the Westside slog. Easy route finding up to hut. No ice as of yet.
Coming down the switchbacks we encountered more fluffy break-away snow. Steps were finally solid at about the 1/2 way down point. Bottom 1/3 nice and firm. Great trail all the way down, ice reforming on the trail slightly after Outpost and significantly after Lone Pine Lake. Off trail time - 7pm.
