They really aren't kidding about the difficulty level on this one but this has been a bucket list hike for a while so I gave it a shot. I started just before midnight from the Art Museum, temp was 82 still but it was pretty comfortable as it cooled on the way up. No major issues navigating via headlamp, paint blazes, and Garmin fenix 6. I reached Flat Rock (6k') at daybreak for a nice break before the steep climb up to the Ranger Station. OF NOTE: There is no water the first 1o miles and 8400′ until the Ranger Station. After a couple more miles the fatigue of a midnight start and altitude started to set in. I needed several breaks but trudged on like the walking dead to the peak. It was a bit hazy but the views were still pretty incredible, perfect 50ish degrees and very little wind at the peak. The hike back to the Tram was not too bad but they steep, paved switchbacks to the station add insult to injury. Took the Tram down for $16 and Uber to my car at the museum.

Up in 12 hours, down in 2:30. I would change a lot of the logistics for next time, this late in the season is not a great time and I would have liked more than the 1ish hour nap I had before tackling this. Overall glad I was able to accomplish one of the hardest day hikes in the US!