Zooming down to Idylwild at 4:30 AM is an adventure, but at least there's no traffic!  Our merry band met at 6:30 for a 7 AM start, and from the jump I loved this hike. The beautiful pines and verdant landscape felt more like the Sierras than our Southern ranges.  It was slated to be a hot one but we lucked out with cloud cover; so cooling in fact that when we stopped for a break the sweat actually made me cold! Layering up didn't last long.

Breaking at the campsite I'm sorry to say that neither the outhouse nor the portapotty were in a condition to encourage placing one's nether regions in any proximity to their depths. And here I thought my travels had inured me to such squeamishness. Alas, the heinie wants what it wants.

Loved the stone shelter near the peak – it was beautifully maintained and the perfect place to sit and enjoy a shady drink. A quick scramble to the top for photos (or sunbathing, as I saw others do), then the trek back down (which always seems longer than the way up).

I would absolutely come back, I think this is my new favorite of the six pack!