Couldn't have asked for a better climb on a holiday weekend! Few people, a great workout not to be underestimated, a ridge with flowers and gorgeous initial mountain views, and then a chance to gaze in awe in all directions from a fire tower. Truly a joy to experience this while 98% of cars raced down the road toward Sahale.
Parking: The very small road-side lot looked maybe full, so we easily snagged a spot on the road where there's enough space to be safe.
The trail: As advertised, you're in the woods and climbing for what may feel like an eternity depending on how you like (or dislike) this kind of ascent. I personally don't mind it so it didn't seem too interminable. You then go through a brushy patch (watch out for nettles; my partner got one pretty good). Then you're back in the woods for a bit during which you reach the junction for Monogram Lake.
I was pleasantly surprised to exit the woods not too much later and start to gawk at the views of El Dorado and adjacent peaks all the way south to Three Fingers. Per usual, the perspectives just got better the higher you got up. The last half mile or so was pretty arduous, but the the views tempered the pain.
And man, the views from the lookout are awesome! We had it to ourselves and enjoyed a nice leisurly lunch while identifying peaks from Baker to the Pickets to the large glaciers of Eldorado. The way down wasn't bad, either, especially since much of the tread is dirt and way kinder on the knees than rocks.
We saw about 12 people on the day - a few backpackers, a couple trail runners and a hiker or two.
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