As beginner hikers, we chose this peak because of the mileage. Seven miles seemed doable, and even if the other hiker reports called the last 1.5 miles things like “brutal” and “challenging” and “an almost vertical climb over rocks,” we crossed our fingers that the reports were at least embellished and promised ourselves we'd take any challenging portions slow and steady.

We headed out from Orange County and arrived at the trailhead at 6:38 a.m. It was still dark but the sun was beginning to peek out from behind the mountain ranges. The day promised clear skies and warm temperatures and it delivered. The trailhead was easy to find – just on the other side of the road from the parking lot. Parking was easy and there are rudimentary bathrooms available. Parking passes are required.

As promised according to other hikers, the first 2 miles were fairly easy. The trail is flat and winding and a bit too “cliffside” for my liking but I'm very wimpy about heights, another reason I've taken up this challenge. Anyway, I quickly adjusted and we breezed through the first two miles. Because we'd started so early we were treated to a shady trail for most of the first leg.

We were very cheerful. It was a game of miles and the miles were speeding by.

And then…the peaks.

When the flat, pleasant trail ended, we saw the first of three “false” peaks, and while it definitely looked like a challenge for our level of physicality (well, mine) it did look doable. And it was. But there is another and another, and the trail becomes steeper and steeper until the last final push to the peak which is a short but satisfying scramble over the last vertical. I struggled a bit with the change in elevation, but we had already agreed to go slow when needed. Soon enough our game of miles became a game of inches. I stopped to rest every few feet during that final push, but we made it.

The views were beautiful, so worth that last mile and those last inches. We took some pictures and chatted with a group of ladies who were also doing the Six-Peak Challenge and had left us in their dust on the way up. They were amazing! I brought a fresh notebook for the peak and left a poem, then we headed back down. With my sore, 50 year-old knees, it was another struggle so descend, but once we hit the flat path it was a quick and lovely trip back to the parking lot.

In all, it took us almost six hours to complete the round trip. For context, we are in our 50s and this is only our second peak in the challenge. That is to say – we're slowpokes. Other more experienced hikers on the trail looked like they were able to make good time. Those of you with more experience than us could probably do it in 3-4 hours.

Over all, it was a gorgeous hike, with lots of stunning views and outlooks for photo ops. Don't be intimidated by that tough last push. It is very doable and totally worth it, but make sure you've got shoes with good grips and, of course, take plenty of water. There is no shade on that last segment. There really weren't any bugs, but the trail gets dusty.

My game of miles turned into a game of inches but I crawled my way to the top anyway, and all I got for my troubles was a view to die for.