Butterflies, wildflowers, green meadows, rippling creek, pine trees,  bright sun, light breeze, blue sky, eagles, magnificent views, Fabulous Forth of July hike.  Started at about 9:15, beautiful morning, the sun already hot.  Very few on the trail. Most of those camping had headed out earlier and those coming in to camp had not yet arrived.  Great start on well maintained trail under tall pines.  Soon the vegetation thicker and the trail was soft with some bugs and hundreds of butterflies.  Then headed up a gradual climb by a babbeling creek that could be heard but not seen through the green.  As I stepped out into the sun again the radio towers on the peak came into view.  The next stretch was open trail and fire road and views. The sun was hot but there sporadic shade under trees. Then headed into tall pine and shade to make the final climb to the summit.  Incredible views, West, North and East, and a cool breeze under a hot sun.  Took the fire road down flanked by pines and then tall green bushes and wildflowers.  I’ve enjoyed this hike a several times since the area was scorched by the Cedar Fire in 2003. Over the years it felt like walking through an area that was just beginning a recovery.  This was the first time the green of new pine, bushes and meadows and rainbow of wildflowers had taken the lead.  With the natural forces augmented by tree planting efforts, and the couple years of good rain and snow, the beauty has been reborn. There are still signs of the fire, such as tall burnt trunks, but rather than dominating the landscape the remnants of the now cause you to pause and think “oh yeah, there was a big fire hear.” And as you take scan the trees, flowers, green and views: “Nature is awesome.  The mountains win again.”