We picked a warm day, but started early.  On the “Shortcut”, I ascended in 41 minutes (my age minus 18).  When I got to the top I was drenched in sweat and was immediately swarmed by biting flies.  The bugs only subsided when I started to dry off, and new sweaty victims joined me.

Henry Coe is known for ticks, but didn't see any.  We did see 2 large rattlesnakes, one of which was dozing in the middle of a single track trail.  I prodded it with a hiking pole to get it to safely relocate.

The last 3 miles of the 14.4 mile loop involve a steady climb, which coupled with the heat overtaxed one of our group. I jogged the last 2 miles to the ranger station to get help, but it was manned by an aide.  It took 45 minutes for the nearest ranger on duty to arrive.