Me and my girlfriend hiked from Crags Campground and the trail looked great on the way up. The warnings about the confusing trail detours by the pipes ended up being inconsequential due to the presence to good laminated direction sheets pointing the way. Ascending the switchbacks from 11k-11,800 were beautiful, looking back to the Crags area with the sun coming up. Watch for the tricky switchback at around 11,700. I missed it on the way up and down, as did a couple other hikers. The straight up section after 12,800 over the saddle to Devil's Playground is steep and hard (moreso than most books and websites let on). The final push up the summit is talus with some snow, but is decently marked and not technical. Plenty of marmots and chipmunks, and the doughnuts at the top were delicious. Hike down involves around 4 miles of exposure, so don't hang out too long on the top buying souvies.
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