Above 900m snowshoes required. Snow all the way to top of Blake from that elevation. Down Colvin snowshoes required all the way to Elk Pass trail jct. I used my MSR's. Only thing they're good for.
Hydration is in summer mode.
I easily consumed 5 quarts on this hike, and 6 on Friday's hike. First time down to Upper Lake from Sawteeth. It DOES go UP, but all the other trails to the summit also do. Last leg from col up to Blake is way steeper. I recommend this loop trip.