Hot and challenging

That was definitely a challenging hike! When they say up hill both ways they mean it! Lots of elevation gain and the last half mile is scrambling on rocks! It was hot and we started at 7 am but honestly we should have started by 5 am! The heat drains you! We brought 3 liters of water each and still refilled! (Thanks to the rangers who left water refill buckets at the half way up point). Loved the changes in vegetation, clouds, wild flowers, birds, and tons of lizards:) It was the most challenging hike in the pack we have done so far!