This was the hike I didn’t really want to do alone and was a bit intimidated about. I started out this morning around 11am (a bit late for this hike) and finished in around 5.5 hrs. They say average is 4hrs and I saw people of all ages and fitness doing this. Major respect for the elders who do this as a workout!! Some climbing really quickly. One older gentleman said he’s done the loop that goes around the back side of the saddle (over 9mi) about 50 times. ? I don’t  think a sense of accomplishment has hit me yet, but it will. I went slow and steady – don’t need to prove a thing except to myself that I won’t give up. 2500+ elevation gain in just under 3 miles and then come back down. There was a lot of climbing and a lot more scrambling and now my hip flexors are feeling it. What a cool hike! I can say I’ve hiked up the middle of the dry creek bed of a ravine now. So glad I did this! ??