Well, this redneck Atlantan went unprepared - I hate taking bunches of stuff when I travel. The forecast said near 60 degrees for Seattle, so I did not bring my hiking boots or cold weather gear. I reached the park entrance, and drove up and up. After 15 miles or so, there was a sign that said that 410 was closed. The reason was that there was what appeared to be about two feet of snow on the ground, and a lot on Highway 410. I parked the car at the intersection of 410 and another road, and decided to hike the closed highway, since I lacked my boots. This was a good decision. The scenery is beautiful up here, even on a gray and snowy day (not to mention, COLD). There is total and complete silence here - no cars, no cell phones, nothing. I hiked about three miles and the snow was deeper and deeper on the road. Some guy on a bicycle rode past me on the way back down. There were comforting signs indicating avalanche warnings.
The hike up and back took about three hours. There are many trails in this beautiful park, and I plan on going back to hike them properly. It is difficult to see the big mountain itself, due to the fog, but I did see it, in its 14,000 foot glory.