Really good challenge, by the end of the uphill you’re praying for some downhill and halfway through the downhill you’re kinda missing the uphill. Great scenery and nice shade on the upper 5 miles. Was a little bummed to realize I had to go another 1/2 out and back to get to the mt wilson signs for the obligatory photo after all that work to get to the top. In the end it was worth it for the view, photo op and learning a little about the observatory on the way. During the summer you definitely want to start early. I hit the trail around 6 and finished in 7 hours and those last couple miles were baking. Bugs were out and was tempted to put on my head net a couple times on the way up when they tried to fly up my nose. I was moving quick enough on the way down that it wasn’t as much of an issue. Carried 2-1/2l up and refilled at the water bottle refill station at the top.