This started as a solo hike and ended as a group hike. Initially I was supposed to hike with my friends Dennis & Lu-Ann, however due to a late start I arrived late to the trailhead. Despite being crowded, I was able to find a parking slot. It was late morning but it was not too hot and it was a bit overcast. Surprisingly there were a lot of people in the trail though most of the hike was solo. I ran into Dennis & Lu-Ann shortly before arriving at Fremont Saddle – they were just leaving the Saddle. So they walked back with me and we took photos and Dennis took more photos. After an hour we started hiking back to the Peralta Canyon trailhead together. Other than encountering a tarantula which we photographed, the return hike was uneventful. For me it was a good start to the challenge and a good first hike for 2021.