I saw a gap in the weather report for Sunday between some colder temps/windy conditions Saturday and snow predicted for Sunday night and took it! It was a beautiful hike. The landscape is gorgeous with big giant bolders everywhere, a well kept trail and gradual incline. The elevation definitely was the biggest factor in this hike. I've been working on managing my challenges with elevation and I think am getting closer to figuring out what works for me. I took a nuun tablet (in a gatorade bottle rigged to my pack) about every other hour or so, some water (but not too much) and a gu packet on the way up and down. I also took ibuprofen before hiking and some on the way down when a headache tried to set in. I had read online that focused, aggressive breathing helps too – so I did that – not dissimilar from what you might do in yoga or during child birth (both of which I have experience with – ha!). Also, the rock/boulder scramble at the top was harder given I was tired and missing some oxygen :). I feel great today (day after)- proving the hike itself wasn't as tough as the elevation issues. Will definitely do this one again. Total miles was 10.1 from the ranger station and took me 7.5 hours (I go slow and take few breaks… so really I go slow!)