Chantry Flats is closed due to the government shutdown, so we had to alter our hike to the longer, steeper Mt. Wilson Trail.  It was listed at 14 miles round trip, but we logged it at closer to 15.5 miles with approximately 5000′ of elevation gain.  I'm a slow hiker, and this was the toughest hike I've ever done, so with breaks, we were on the trail for 9.5 hours.  The weather was very nice and we warmed up quickly going up.  It was quite cold at the summit with patches of snow that was not melting.  I felt fatigued by the time I reached the top, and the last several miles of the hike down seemed never-ending.  It was a beautiful hike and fun with friends, despite the aches and pains I'm feeling now.