I was thinking about heading up the CFT next weekend, ideally avoiding the crowds, and to get my feet broken in, a fairly low- altitude hike, and a couple nights outside. The original plan had me dayhiking today to check out the trail, but obviously I'm working on a computer, inside.

What does the trail look like? snow, creeks, etc.
Is it reasonable to show up to get a permit Saturday morning, of Memorial day weekend, or should I allow some extra leeway for spillover from filled quotas out of the valley?

MG