This is a failed attempt. We only made to the ridge.
Next time, need to get a campsite inside the park, maybe at Lower Royal Meadow, which is easy to get. Or at the lake. Going from the park boundary to Upper Royal Basin is a long haul. And the climb starts from the upper basin.
A great day though.
Current condition:
1) lower meadow has some muddy spots. Water on trail.
2) Snow starts at Royal Lake. It was a bit confusing getting out of the lake area.
3) Imperial Pond was only melted on the edge, so very pretty.
4) Snow is soft, but sticky.
The slope is steeper as it goes higher. Crampon is unnecessary (no ice per say). I did wore crampons up, but packed them away coming down (in case of slide or gsll). Ice axe is a must.
My friend couldn't find a safe way to descend on the other side to continue the climb. I was slower, arrived at the ridge at 2pm, so I ran out of time. The ridge itself is rock. I dried my socks and boots on the rocks.
Either come here earlier so the snow is harder and covered the back side to get down safely, or after more snow melts, so it's just rocks on the upper part.
Distance (~16 miles) and elevation gain (~4-5000') is estimate only.
Photos:
1) lower Royal Meadow: water/mud on trail
2) Royal Lake
3) Upper basin with Imperial Pond (this is a pano)
4) climbing (my friend is in the pink circle)
5) the view over the ridge (this is a pano)
6) drying socks on the rocks on the ridge
7) looking down the upper basin from the ridge.