Independence Day at Volcan

Initially I was planning to hike San Jacinto but due to permits unavailable and the US Forest Service ranger station closed, I decided to head to Volcan Mountain instead. I started the hike shortly after lunch. The weather was sunny and there were plenty of hikers but none of them were in large groups and there was plenty of solitude throughout the hike. There were scattered wildflowers along the trail. The scenery was good. I got to the summit, found one of the survey markers, took pictures, then after a break, started heading back. Then I stopped at Julian to get some pie and early dinner (served take-out due to the COVID-19 situation), before heading home.