Patches of snow until the trail contoured around to the north side where I switched to snowshoes for deep soft snow. Used the ice axe to traverse some steep slopes on the ridge below the stairs to the lookout. While at the summit, a single engine plane flew by the tower. I waved and the pilot tipped their wing in response. Glissaded down about 1500 vertical feet of the south face (!) before the snow ran out, then hiked the cl. 2 gully back to the road. I now need a new pair of hiking pants.