I arrived around 5:00AM this morning and took a power nap before starting the trail at 5:30AM. There was no else in the parking lot except for me. It was pretty chilly, mid to upper 50s, but luckily I was wearing my long sleeve base layer. It quickly warmed up by 6:30AM.

I saw 2 coyotes at the start of the trail, a bunch of bunnies, and a harmless snake today.

From 0.5mi to about 1.9mi, you will ascend around 1,400′. It's tiring, for sure. It's also easy to lose your footing not only because of the grade, but also because of the sandy/rocky terrain (be careful on the way back!). After that incline it becomes less severe and more gradual. I had bug spray on and only encountered a few gnats around mile 4.5 or 5. The last stretch to the lookout tower is not bad at all. I made it there in less than 2 hours 30 minutes and was the only hiker around. The volunteer in the tower was very nice and even asked if I was good on water. The view is OK, nothing special to see except for the observatories in the distance.

The descent was very easy, literally downhill all the way with the exception of 2 or 3 mild inclines. I ran most of it until I got to the start of the last two miles. Walk carefully.. I lost my footing and ended up spraining my ankle pretty bad. I had to walk my last two miles on my freshly sprained ankle. On the way down I only bumped into two people hiking together, that's all!

In total, it took me 4 hours 19 minutes to hit the summit and get back to the parking lot. I consumed a liter of water up, and a liter of water down. I did not bring trekking poles.

Not a bad hike to get the blood flowing!