Apply in March – drawing is in April. You pick up to 6 people for 7 possible dates…they will choose. There is no reason to enter at an early date. All applications received by the end of March will be in the pool. If the snow season continues at its current pace, there may be a delay in erecting the cables beyond the end of May. So that’s one good reason to hedge your bets when planning your hike. You MAY not be able to get up if snow blocks the trail and the crews are not able to erect the pipes and boards that hold up the cables. A roll of the dice. It may be better think about a later summer trip.
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” – Muhammed Ali