Snow the whole way up to the shelter. Encountered deeper powder snow on "Circle" trail about half way up to the shelter requiring aid of snowshoes as to not posthole as much. From the shelter, it was a very tough going up the steep incline of the open face of the mountain, especially if you carry a heavy pack. We started late in the day and could only make it up approx. a quarter of the way up before turning around due to evening falling. No one had made it up above us as there were no tracks at all...the blazes were hard to follow due to snow cover. Even using snowshoes made it tough in the very deep drifts up the steep granite terraced rocks and out croppings. Again, from the shelter, it will be a very tiring hike due to the constant post holing from the deep drift snow. I would recommend that a hiker gives themselves plenty of time to bag the peak... maybe taking a leisurely hike up to the shelter area, staying over night, and then getting up early to climb ! The conditions at the shelter area were great for pitching a tent like we did.