Fourth of July 2024 Mount Baden-Powell

I celebrated my Fourth of July hiking up to Mount Baden-Powell.  I took a late start on my hike.  Bummer that now there is a $5.oo parking fee to park on the trailhead and the Adventure Pass is no longer valid.  There was plenty of parking at the trailhead when I arrived, I guess due to the holiday or the $5.oo parking fee.  It was hot at the start of the hike.  When I reached 7,500′ elevation it was cooler with light cool wind.  I was all by myself when I reached the summit since most of the hikers before me started early to beat the heat.  I found a shade underneath a tree.  The shade and the cool wind kept me cool and comfortable while I was eating lunch and enjoying the spectacular view.  A few hikers showed up and one of them was able to take a photo of me next to the American Flag.  It was a great, quiet, and peaceful moment celebrating my Fourth up at the summit of Mount Baden-Powell.