Holy smokes that was a lot harder than I expected it to be!  Maybe because its the first major hike I've done this season.  Maybe I'm not in as good of shape as last year, but it darn near kicked my butt.  My hiking partner scurried up way ahead of me as I sucked wind and stopped every few feet on my completely tapped legs.  I thought for sure Kaitlin would be waiting at the cafe for at least an hour waiting for me, but as it turns out, she struggled a lot too.  She said at one point she threw up and at another, laid on the side of the trail.  Lots of people found this a very difficult hike (and others made it look like a walk in the park).

The bugs were out of control!  The flies were relentless, even with deet. Mosquitos too, but I'd sprayed so much “Off”  I only ended up with one bite.  Kaitlin took a pretty big hit though. Sheer will and determination to complete this hike, got both of us to the peak.

On the up side, it was amazingly beautiful!  The greenery, the flowers, the creek and the waterfall were such a treat for as much as we could enjoy it.  Lunch at the cafe was nice, and a place to use a real bathroom and fill your water.  The hike down was soooooo much easier.  If you keep moving, the bugs leave you alone and it was much more enjoyable.