Left the house at 6 am to arrive at 7:45 at the main parking lot – was hoping to enjoy the clear skies of the Tri-Valley, but Napa Valley was shrouded in low clouds that obscured the peaks above Hwy 29 as the sun came up. Shortly after I got there, arrived Sarah, a challenger for the Bay Area Ridge Trail. She was looking to complete the hike/run to give her 58 of the 70 segments of the 390 mile challenge. She told me she was planning to do two more later in the day to give her 60/70!

There were a few misty drips as I started through the single track – though nothing too bad. I headed up the fire road and this was the first time I did not see people setting up for rock climbing until I came back down. There were about 10 people who were rock climbing (or at least had their gear with them) when I passed the rock outcropping on the way down.

The views I enjoyed last year were not to be had, as the peak was shrouded. I got a couple of spritzes on the way up, but the clouds started to break — at least for a few moments — when I got to the summit. This allowed me a little bit of time to get some photos — though not much for views. I had previously been able to see snow on the Sierras — though that would not be the case this morning. Just as I was getting ready to head down, Sarah got to the summit (#58!).

I made good time getting down the peak, with the rain steadily increasing. It was raining fairly good when I got to the parking lot, which had filled up — despite the rain. And, Sarah came running down to finish before heading off to Bothe Napa State Park.