This was my second peak, and its where the real hiking began.  The beginning of the trail was pretty easy, but the higher I went, the more my lack of good exercise during the statewide House Arrest began to show.  Since I like to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature, I chose a Sunday to hike, and began early.  For most of the trail, up to the saddle, I was alone most of the time.  However, because of my deliberately slow pace, once I reached the saddle, I ended up close to a few people pretty consistently, and found the top pretty busy – probably a couple dozen people or more altogether.  This peak is definitely not as spacious as Wilson – and because it was the second or so weekend after trails were officially open, it was likely more crowded than it might otherwise have been.

Again, the hike back down was very easy.  And while there were a few patches of snow – mostly in the more shadowed areas – there really wasn't any on the trail to and from the peak itself.  Finally, as I got near the end of the trail, I took the opportunity to stick my head under one of the cold and refreshing little water ‘falls'.  Just what the doctor ordered!