Well it technically is a walk in the park but pretty tough hike I thought.

Weather was great overall, hot in the sun but there was strategic shade along the way.

I camped at the ranch campground near the trailhead so I didn't have to travel the day of the hike.  Worked out well, hit the trail by 9am.  At first I thought the “shortcut” might be a little over-hyped because I felt pretty good at the beginning but the steep sections kept coming and by the top it had earned my respect.  I was ready for some flat terrain.

The ranger gave me a warning about the trail and how strenuous it was, almost like advising me against going or at least advising me about good turnaround points before getting in too deep.  He had good info though and was right about the last section ascent – I kept thinking it was over and it kept not being over.  Also, the jackass trail was pretty cool to get back to poverty flats road, I learned it had burned in 2007 and has this weird mix of new growth and old burned up wood.

All in all a good hike on a good day, took me about 7 hrs.