I know exactly what you mean, in wanting to go solo, its my preferred choice as well, as you do not have to rely on others, some of whom will let you down, or change their plans without letting you know.
Both of your chosen routes are very straight forward, with the Snowdon Ranger being the easier alternative, in wet and windy weather, but that's been a rarity in the past five weeks here in North Wales.
There is limited parking near the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel, with most of the parking resrerved for guests, but Bettws Garmon is only a mile further down the road, where one can usually park safely.
The weather has been so settled in the past month, that i noticed that even Llyn Caseg, below the slopes of Er Elen, in the Carneddau range, is pretty low on water, and due to its location, it never seems to diminish in size, but its certainly smaller than usual.
Parking will be easier for the Llanberis path, but which ever path you choose, none of them are beyond a keen walker, but personally if you want a more dramatic view of Mt Snowdon, and want peace and solitude, the Snowdon ranger would be the best choice.
Currently i am entertaining a friends young son, from Gillford, who is in North Wales, having booked a map reading course in Plas Y Brenin this coming weekend.
I have been taking him on my top five favourites in Snowdonia.
We have done the Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe, Cwm Caseg from Gerlan, and a very tiring double traverse from Ogwen to Foel Fras and back, taking in the 7 3000ft summits on our way.
Tomorrow is Cader Idris, weather permitting, as the forecast is changeable at last, and before he goes home next week, a Rhinog extravaganza, of Moelfre to Diffwys, with one of the gorgeous all day breakfasts at the teapot cafe up the road from my house before we start
He climbed Snowdon some time ago, so thank fully the lure of the mountain is not strong, but i have been taking him on these epic days out, so he can practice his compass and mp skills for this weekend.
