Very challenging hike with over 4400 feet of elevation gain. In my experience this hike was the hardest of all the six, harder than Rose Peak. Didn't see a single other human the entire 7 hours. Saw evidence of recent prescribed burns, with areas still reeking of smoke.

Lots of ticks, and saw several herds of wild boar! They're romping around all over the place, coming out starting an hour before sunset. The evidence of the boar is all over the last third of the route (Jackass Trail, Poverty Flat Rd, The Narrows Trail, Manzanita Pt Road), and has caused quite a bit of damage to the grass around the trails. I gave these animals a wide berth as they can be quite dangerous if provoked. Also saw coyote, several deer, and bunnies.