Tried to get here earlier, but waking up at 4:30 am was rough. Eventually got out the door, and after an hour drive, we hit the trail just before 7:00 am. The ascent wasn’t really all that bad. Pretty gradual, for the most part, and we managed to get some shade for a a good part of it, along the west side of the ridge line. Of course, elevation helped with keeping things cool. There was a bit of a scramble, during the final push, which was a nice little added challenge to figure out the way to the summit.

I was amazed by all the quartz, up top, like…how’d it all get pushed-up and settle in this area!? It was beautiful! I really enjoyed the view to the south, with the land largely unspoiled, as opposed to all the developed land to the north. Despite a hazy sky, the San Francisco Peaks could be faintly seen on the northern horizon!

The way back down wasn’t too bad, but the lower we got, the hotter it got, and it started to feel like it was taking forever to get back to the parking lot. BUT…we made it!