The reports about this trail scared me off from doing the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks for 2021.  I'm glad I did it this year.  Is is a hard hike?  Yes.  Is it the hardest hike in the SD 6 Pack?  Probably.  Is is the hardest hike I've ever done?  Not even close.  If you're a regular hiker, you'll be fine.  Here is what you really need to know…

The trip to the summit feels moderate at best.  What is soul crushing is the trip back to your car.  It will take you at least as long as the ascent did so plan your time and effort accordingly.  I found miles 7.5 to 9.5 to be the hardest due to a really long, steep climb on tired legs followed by a really sketchy, slippery downhill portion that you have to really take your time on.  Definitely watch the weather reports and only try this on a cool day.  It was a high of 68 when I went and it felt hot, due to being in full sun the entire time and the fact that the summit isn't high enough to be any cooler than the rest of the hike.  Also take all the warnings about how much water to drink seriously!!!  I don't usually drink much while hiking and I never use electrolytes.  I went through a full 3L of electrolyte water on this hike and could have used more because I finished it all with about half a mile to go.

Otherwise, it's overall a much prettier hike than I thought it would be.  The scenery, wildflowers and views are great the entire time!