Two of us hiked up Chatter Creek to the ridge, and down climbed (steep for ~100', the most sketchy part of the climb) to the west side, and then up to Grindstone Mountain. The last ~10 feet is rock. But the rock is grippy, so fairly easy.
I used the GPS track downloaded from PeakBagger (thank you, Vineeth Madhusudanan). Need ice-axe. I wore micro-spikes, my friend didn't use any traction device.
Not busy: We met a couple only went to the ridge, a party of 5 (Seattle Mountaineers according to the summit registry) below Grindstone. Another party of 3 going to Grindstone when we came down. Later that day, on our way out, met a couple planning to camp at Lake Edna (probably didn't make it), and another small party with 2 tents camping by the creek.
Trail condition:
1) snow above 5000', solid snow above 6000'. Minor post-holing.
2) MOSQUITO is OUT, especially below the snow level and where it's melting.
3) The crossing of the creek around 4400' requires care.
4) No footprint north of Icicle Ridge. We were hoping to get to Cape Horn, but gave up, as it was getting late.
Not many flowers, compared to other trails on the Icicle Creek Road. Saw some glacier lily and a few pasqueflower where the snow was melting, a couple of tiger lily near the trailhead.
Elevation and distance may not be correct, only an estimate.
Panorama photos at the summit.
east and south, north and west.
The photos that were cut off by the format: Chatter Creek to the ridge, Towards Grindstone from northwest.