If I knew this would be my last hike due to isolation stuff caused by COVID-19 – maybe I would have soaked it up longer.

I had soft committed to myself of one six pack of peak hike a month and on Feb 27, 2020 this hike kept it alive – after this I didn't hike until May 13 (El Cajon Mtn). The streak is gone but still time to get 12 hikes in. While the virus was about and on peoples minds in late Feb, the full affect of the virus had not hit so this hike was carried out the old way – letting other people hold our cameras, taking pictures of others – so everyone could get the iconic potato chip photos. And we gathered at the top to talk about the climb, the beautiful day and laugh at the antics of our fellow hikers on the rock. So much fun then – no fear, no isolation just bonded by the hiking experience – loved it.

The trail was in tip top shape, parking was a breeze at the rec area, there is a store for cool drink purchases after – and while tracing around the lake on the trail the shore was lined with folks fishing – all in all pretty picturesque. While the trail was steep it was pretty manageable, the trail is well marked but there are several junctions so stay on top of those. I went on Thursday, start time ~0845 and had the remarkable experience of getting to the rock – and NO One was there. That was short lived, luckily and a couple of hikers appeared in time for me to get a photo on the iconic chip. And then a steady stream of hikers, young families congregated. All in good fun