This was my first backpacking trip, and boy was it a doozy! I'm glad we had a third, experienced person with us, or Allyson and I might still be up there. The temperatures were perfect on both Saturday and Sunday, though quite windy throughout the night at Maggie's Half Acre campsite and through a lot of Sunday. There is a mix of shady and exposed areas, with an emphasis on exposed, so bring sun protection and lots of water! There are a few places to refill along the way, but it's untreated water. Hiking poles are also highly recommended as some of the downhill sections are up to 28%. (Though somehow Diablo felt harder!)

Some highlights:
– Wildflowers! No large, beautiful fields, but so many different types, right on the side of the trail.
– Some cows that were VERY suspicious of us walking near them. It was hilarious to see them all facing us as we approached, and then turn around all of them suddenly facing us that way, too.
– Views! You feel like you're both in the middle of nowhere and also so, so close to civilization.

Three down! Three to go!