Yay! I made it!!!

Met a group of six (5 ppl and a dog) at the trailhead parking lot. They let me join them so I didnt need to hike alone in the dark. They kept checking on me making sure I was okay, waited for me when I was behind. A member of the group was so nice to carry my backpack all the way from the trailhead to the summit so I can hike burden free. I love my hiking community! They watch out and help each other w/o hesitation.

Started hiking at 4:30am, got to the summit shortly after 12pm. Took a photo break at the summit for around 40 mins. Started descending at 12:40 and got back to my car at the trailhead parking lot just right after the sky is completely dark after sunset (around 6:30pm).

The first three miles were the hardest no matter you are ascending or descending. That section definitely wakes you up if you are sleepy and train your endurance when you are exhausted in the way returning to your car. Please bring trekking poles, you will need them. Saw snow along my way but not bad. I hiked w/o using microspikes but please bring microspikes if you gonna hike there later. I had mine with me in this trip for peace of mind. There was water at halfway camp and high creek camp. There was water when crossing the Mill Creek but the majority of the creek was still dry.

The largest wildlife I saw in this trip was a big cute chipmunk at the summit 🙂

The Mill Creek in the sunset it stunning!

Overall, this is a long tough hike but glad I made it! Thanks to my group members. I wont be able to make it to the top w/o them.