I think this is the toughest of the original Six Pack peaks. But I did much better on this go-around than the last time two years ago!

Be forewarned: access from the 243 is still closed from the north due to mudslide cleanup. We were driving from Simi Valley, and an approach from the south meant an estimated 3 hours to get to the trailhead. We left at 3 AM and actually took almost ANOTHER 30 minutes because Google maps doesn't take into account the section of the 243 that requires you to wait for an escort through the construction zone. Finally, the drive back took 4.5 hours because the way we had come in was COMPLETELY closed, forcing us to take the only other road out of Idyllwild which took us closer to San Diego, meaning we had to make quite a large loop to get going in the right direction.

That being said, 6:30 AM start on a weekday is the best way to do this trail. We saw a couple young bucks grazing along the trail and the weather was nice and cool. We had the trail completely to ourselves until just before the ski hut at the top, when we ran into another small group that had spent the night in Little Round Valley. There was actual solitude at the summit, very opposite the crowded experience I had hiking this on a Saturday a couple years ago. On the way back down we encountered a lot more hikers making their way up, making me glad we avoided the crowds (and the heat!).

All in all a great hike, especially because I had braced myself for a tougher experience and was pleasantly surprised at how well I managed. Still tough, but I think making this my 6th peak this season helped me get in shape for it.