I'm not sure how I managed avoiding Hoffman all these years- this one had stunning views for relatively minimal effort. (10mi/2500ft gain)

The northern leg was of the loop was me losing the trail and turning upslope too early. The southern variant was the cairned use trail.

Stopped at Nellis to buy a SD card for the camera and then headed up towards Tioga Pass. Beautiful crisp spring day after what was a nearly nonexistent winter.

May Lake HSC trailhead at about 8am. It was around freezing when I started but warmed up substantially over the course of the day. May Lake Road was still closed (but didn't really need to be as it was more than clear)

A very early view of distinctive radio tower topped Hoffman summit from the May Lake access road. The summit would be blocked from view from most of the route today.

Do we *really* now need Purell dispensers in backcountry pit toilets?

Off the road and onto the trail proper- which was covered with patchy snow. Little over a mile from here up to May Lake.

The HSC trail was in good shape and headed steadily upward- with about 500' of gain between roads end and the camp.

The marmots were out in abundance today and were still unseasonably fat.

Clouds Rest visible off to the south as the trail crested the lower treetops