The trail is somewhat steep in the first 1/4 mile. I was quickly outpaced by 4 ladies (2 younger and 2 older than me), whom I didn't see until at the Lookout. I heat up so quickly that I had to take off my rain jacket. Luckily I carried my umbrella. No much wind in the trees (in fact, not much wind on the top either). The slope eased later. After about a mile, you are in a rhododendron forest. Of course, too early for flowers. Then snow on ground, and soon, snow from the sky. I put my fleece back on, not my raincoat. I was happy to see snow after 3 days of 80°+ weather in Portland last week. I somehow missed the door at the lookout. I even lift the shutter to see if the windows open, because I could hear voice from inside. After 5 minutes sitting down, I gradually put all my clothes back on, including a down vest. There're 2 beds, and miscellaneous tools. 2 small bottles of weed! No fire lookout tools though. Not sure if it's stationed in the summer. Coming down is a breeze, boring.Even though there was plenty of snow, the snow was soft enough, and I don't understand why all 6 of the others put on micro-spikes or yak-trax. I felt fine without, even though I had brought mine. A couple of slopes were steep where you traverse on snow, but I still don't see how the small spikes would help. Nothing icy. Hiking poles are useful, as they help my knee on steep trails as well as in the snow.
Another link from Oregon Hikers with TH GPS.
