Below treeline snow is intermittent, and non-problematic shy of a few areas where you have to post hole. At treeline snow thickens and the trail all but vanishes. I'm no trail whisperer, but this route just about up and vanishes into the snow and old postholes and snowshoe trails above treeline, so be ready to do some heavier route finding higher up. Gaters are a must, and microspikes were helpful on the ascent, and though I brought snowshoes, the need for them never really arose. The snow is often too patchy to warrant putting them, only to have to remove them shortly, so we post holed instead. An ice axe was helpful on the descent since we glissaded off the summit and down into the Angel off of maybe 6-7 slides through patchy snow. Trekking poles also recommended, but not a necessity by any means. We hiked out to the trail down below treeline from the side of the angel where snow conditions are too deep/bad for a clean, fast glissade. It was a beautiful, warm day. Brought thermals thinking of how cold it might still be at 14k, but lo and behold, the need never arose. Practically t-shirt and shorts weather up there now despite the snow.
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