I drove up to Idyllwild the day before and camped out at Marion Mountain. I decided to break camp before my hike in case I didn't make it down in time for ‘check-out' as there was a reservation after me. So at 430am, I am the only person or thing making any sort of noise as I rattle around and make coffee and break down my tent. I feel like bigfoot stomping through the forest it has been so quiet all night but, what can you do. Then, as I am carrying everything to my car I try to pop open the trunk and set off my own car alarm and cannot get to my keys quickly because my hands are full and they are in my pocket. So much for trying to be quiet. It's probably best I left after that.

I drove the 500ft down the road to the trailhead and got all my stuff together. Rough road for parking my little hybrid, but I didn't bottom out. It was much cooler than I thought it would be, being on the west side of the mountain means morning shade until almost the peak. I am not going to lie, this one was really tough for me. Maybe it was the two weeks of from major elevation hiking, or the fact I hiked Tahquitz the afternoon before, or that I didn't sleep well. But I had to go real slow due to fatigue and altitude dizziness. Probably the slowest pace for a summit ever, but it's not a race, right? I had the trail mostly to myself until I met up with the tram trail. A handful of people on the peak, most notably three guys smoking a joint at the actual peak. Which didn't help my dizziness or headache. Ate my sandwich and started back down. I met two nice women who are also six-pack challengers which was cool!

All the way down I was fighting a terrible headache and quad cramps. This was not my favorite day. But the summit was amazing and I can't wait to try it again when I feel better. Also the Little Round Valley Campsite looks so cute!