After driving for 1 hour and 40 minutes from OC, we landed with Ann at the trailhead at 7 a.m. to start our hike. It was a beautiful, sunny morning with no clouds in the sky. The first two miles were a decent upward push. I was diligently taking pictures on every turn or crossroad. Many people noted on Alltrail that returning was tricky. Apparently, it was hard to find the narrow trail leading back to the parking lot. It was not going to be us!!

Halfway up the narrow path turned into a wide, dusty service road and bugs appeared out of nowhere. So did what looked like the tracks of a mountain lion. At this point, it seemed, we were alone on the hill. In moments like this, I am always grateful for my companion, pepper spray, and a loud whistle!!

We reached the tower on the top of High Point in 3.5 hours. Alas, it was not open to hikers. Friendly rangers made sure we know.

It was fun to take photos with the sign against great, expansive views of the surrounding landscape, including San Jacinto Mountain, Toro Peak, San Gorgonio Mountain, and the forested area of Palomar Mountain itself.

Going down was uneventful until the very last fork in the road. Where, like other hikers before us, we got slightly lost! It took only a few minutes to realize the detour and course correct. We got back to the car in 6 hours, happy to finish our 6th SD peak, tired and extremely hungry. Our next stop Stagecoach Inn on the way back remedied that.