Once around the easy loop the trail started getting steeper when we took the branch to the peak. The trail was narrow with steep drops and since it wasn't sunny there were plenty of ice patches to keep you focused on the challenge.
This section of the hike looked and felt like what I would expect of a big Mount Everest type ascent and was probably the closest we will ever come to one considering how much this minor mountain tamed us. At times when I couldn't step on rocks, I was breaking through snow up to my knees!
Closer to the peak, the trail became much harder to find so we started blazing our own path towards the top. We never made it to the peak because when we got to what we thought was the top, we discovered it was just a ridge. The peak was another couple hundred yards away, much higher and very rocky. It was getting overcast, the air was thinner, we were tired and Pattie was getting freaked about the height. We turned around satisfied to have gotten as far as we did and happy to have enjoyed our three hours climbing through the snow.