Solo 1- day summit Tuesday 7/11. Started from Portal @3:20. At summit by 11:00/11:10. Back to Portal by 5. Up and down the chute to TrailCrest. Used micro spikes and ice axe. Both are a must for chute, spikes a minimum. Several people summited using switch backs only, no spikes or axe. I just don't know how or where they got onto switchbacks. Doug @ Portal Store likely has details.
Snow on chute was getting slushy by 6:30/7. Suggest to use old Main Trail out of Portal to avoid 1st water crossing, logs at lone pine lake are intact. You will get your feet wet at Bighorn Park and crossing over to Outpost Camp. Most other crossing are doable, but a lot of water on the trail. Glissade down the chute in afternoon with ice axe is OK due slushy snow to help slow you down. Stay out of main glissade toboggan run. Must hang onto axe very tight as some shallow rocks will try to yank from your hand.
