Spring (April to early June) and autumn (September to early November) are the best seasons. Skies are clearest in autumn, with crisp air on the summit and the best chance of a memorable sunrise. Spring brings wildflowers along the lower trail and milder weather for the long climb. Avoid the May and October national holiday weeks, when domestic tourists arrive in numbers that turn the staircase into a slow shuffle.
Summer can be hot and hazy, with thunderstorms breaking over the mountain most afternoons — climb very early or overnight. Winter is cold but striking; the summit is often snow-dusted and the crowds thin out completely. Whatever the season, bring layers — the temperature drop from base to peak is dramatic, and the wind at the top can cut through anything lightweight.