Even before I made it to the trailhead. The day was made. I saw my first California black bear 🙂

As for the hike, I found the initial start on a road, “nothing to write home about” as they say.  Add to that the occasional truck also passed me, I assume they were employees of the ski resort, leaving in its wake a dusty trail . Not a fun way to start a 6 am hike. That being said the upper sections of the trail near the devil's backbone and the exposed ledges were some of the most dialed in I've needed to be on any of the San Diego or SoCal sixpackofpeak mountains. For those who have an issue with heights it will challenge you. I'd say in some sections its a 4 out of 10 on the fear scale. doable but you need to channel your focus.

Summit was spectacular, albeit provided no shade for the last bit. Come prepared with sunblock and lip balm. The other misfortune or fortune was on the way down taking the longer Old Baldy route as opposed to the ski hut path. This added an additional 1.1 miles for a total of 12.1 miles as opposed to the 11 suggested for the peak challenge and left me 4 miles and 1,500ft below where I parked my car. Thankfully “trail angels” exist and Luiz a follow hiker was kind enough to take me  back to my car.

This hike was most memorable also for having met another trail friend who made the path less taken  and the hitch hiking more enjoyable, thank you Caleigh for being at the right place at the right time for us to enjoy the day together… and I'm sorry for getting us lost 🙂