Got off work early and thought I could beat the rain … but the clouds dropped in before I got there. Surprisingly, there were a few people on the trail. A couple of hikers were returning from the summit and another runner headed out before me (she was heading back when I was going up). The trails here are in pretty good shape despite the recent (and current) rain. There was also a dusting of snow on the summit last week. I was definitely not blessed with the good views I’ve had in the past. However, the low clouds and rain offered an interesting perspective. I focused more on the trail and canopy of trees which offers plenty of cover from the rain in the winter as well as the sun in the summer. There appears to be quite a bit of restoration work going on at the summit — especially around the Cube. As a result, the final approach comes from the 159 stairs from the summit parking lot. There was a drenched couple and their son at the visitors center, and a biker turning to head back down the hill (he looked cold). As such, it was my fourth cold and windy summit of the year.