So, I hiked Sutton Mountain with a dog, Patch. Not MY dog… he lives at the trailhead, and joined me when I started, made it to the top with me. I improvised a water bowl for him at the top. Guess I should bring a bowl and some treats next time! I learned his name at the end, when he refused to go back home unaccompanied. Guess this isn’t his first time. I thought of him as Buddy. The hike itself took 3 hours roundtrip; considering it took 3.5 hours roundtrip to drive, not hugely efficient. The trail is basically a jeep trail, through grasses, pretty exposed. Hills in the distance are pretty. 1,674’ elevation gain, according to my Apple Watch. 1.5 hours to summit, 20 minutes at the top, a bit over an hour to hike down. A symphony of birdsong to start, but quieter at the top. I stopped at the Painted Hills coming back, it’s very pretty – recommended. Note that the last couple hundred feet is cross country, the trail marked on Trailforks doesn’t exist, but it’s easy, just hike uphill. And, the trailhead itself really isn’t marked. Just a sign asking to close the gate. Certainly not a spectacular hike, but a change of pace from the forests and volcanoes.