In retrospect Eric thinks that this would be an excellent spring project when (1) the giant talus leading to Alpine Col would be buried, and (2) he could ski across the many large lakes along the route.
Otherwise it was an excellent hike on a crystalline fall day. Eric would like to know if anyone has dayhiked Goethe.
Peter Maxwell adds:
When Dee Booth and Scott Kreider and I were on the summit, looking through the register, I noticed some entries about people day hiking it. So it has been done.