The trail was not too bad but it was too hot. This hike is best done in the spring or fall or even winter, not in the summer.  I was supposed to hike with a group but when I was running late I sent a message telling them to start without me. I arrived at the parking lot, placed my Interagency Pass on my car's dashboard and started the hike. The trail itself was ok although I nearly had a close call with a rattler which I nearly stepped on. Fortunately the rattler was just as apprehensive as I was and it slithered into the bushes and I went on my way. At the Four  Corners junction I was pleasantly surprised to see Philip, one of my fellow challengers leading a hike. He was on his way down and he confirmed that he encountered my two friends who had hiked ahead. We then went our separate ways and I continued. That last uphill stretch was a killer.  The vegetation was of little help providing shade. Near the summit I met both Karen and Jackie and we were glad to see each other even though we missed hiking together. They told me I was very close and I was. When they left me, I  made the turn they had come from and I was the summit right ahead and the worst climbing was already done. I walked the last few yards to the summit and met with a group who had the good sense to bring umbrellas with them. We chatted for a while and they took my photos and pointed where the third benchmark was. I stayed for a while had snacks and although it was still  too hot it felt good. Due to the heat I did not stay long at the summit but started heading down.  On the way back I came across the group I had met earlier at the summit while they were resting – they had taken the longer trail from Four Corners instead of the direct route. We hiked for a while until I decided to rest at a trail intersection while they went ahead. While resting, two riders on horses came on the trail and I got up to let the horses pass. The riders asked me if I still had water left and gave me a pint just as an extra. I was glad they did and I drank most of the pint on the way back.  I got back to the Trailhead and decided to go for a drink at The Candy Store. It felt good.  Not a bad ending to a late start hike. Although in the future, I will do this hike in spring or fall, not in the sizzling summer heat.