I started from the Monarch Mountain Lodge area & headed up the 228 Road. Enough snow was encountered early that any further driving would have been futile. I stuck to the road (I briefly considered the bushwhack to ridge option at the 10,560 switchback) & dropped the 100ish feet to go around the active mine. At the 11,560 switchback I took the "administrative" (I read this sign as a way of keeping motor vehicles away) option & headed for the ridge. The ridge was mainly class 2 with some optional 3 (best option for me to avoid potential snowy trapdoors) all the way to the summit. The snow I encountered over the whole route was typically 2 to 4 inches deep (sometimes ankle deep, not often though) & surprisingly much had melted on my return; the least in the lower(ish) trees (my guess would be due to less wind & thicker shadows). The road had melted a bit more on my return and driving it could shave some distance off in the coming days. Bear in mind that the mud that was revealed was slicker than snot & going off that road would result in a less than ideal remainder of your day. Come prepared for the 4,200 vert & be happy if you can reduce that some!
P.S. - A shout out to CaptCo for posting yesterday. I had originally been planning on some 13ers from near the Winfield area & that would have sucked to add in all those extra miles!
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