I woke up at 2:30 AM in San Diego in order to drive 2+ hrs in the dark to be at the trailhead before first light. I started my ascent at 4:50 AM with a nearly full moon low in the sky next to a visibly bright red Mars. After crossing Mil Creek, the trail gets steep for the first mile or so, but then begins to level off. The trail goes through some lush scenery for a few miles before arriving at High Creek camp at around 6 miles. This is a good flat area to rest and re-fuel. After about 7.5 miles the vegetation will get more sparse and you will be able to see the long uphill climb toward the summit. At this point you may feel the effects of high altitude. On my way back down everyone I encountered was trudging their way up, trying to keep it together. I kept giving them encouragement, that the summit was not too far off. At close to 9 miles the trail is above the treeline and is marked on either side by occasional manzanita shrubs. Once you get over a false summit, the true peak is just about 5 minutes away. Scramble up a bunch of rocks and you've made it!