Garden Parking Lot/TH question

I think I've used nearly every main TH/Parking area in the High Peaks region except for the Garden lot in Keene. I've heard the horror stories about how busy it can get there.



My fiance and I are itching for Big Slide & Yard after she's recovered from a broken foot. We're driving up as a day hike from Syracuse for a day this weekend, so we don't have the luxury of arriving at like 6 AM.



Does anyone have any ball park times on when you'd need to get there to get a spot? Would we be okay if we arrived before 8:30/9:00 ish?



Thanks!