We started at 8am out of Mitchell Visitor Center and headed clockwise, as suggested, up the trail.  Good call on the clockwise route!  This would have been a bear to have to hike down!  By noon it was pretty hot in the exposed sections, glad we had hats and sunscreen.  We ran into one 3’ rattlesnake stretched across the trail.  He was comfy and would not leave!  Luckily we were at some switchbacks and could backtrack and go around it.  Bugger.  The hike took us 10:36!  We didn’t plan for it to be so long-how do you do this in 5hrs unless you are running?? We  had plenty of food, water, etc but missed our kids lacrosse games! Lol!  We made it to the summit though!  Go Moms!!!