We got a pretty late start, leaving the college parking lot right around 7pm. It was still very warm, but not hot. Mid 80s, which is still hot on a steep hike, but we took our time and got to the summit just before 9pm. This was my first time hiking Mission Peak during the summer, had only hiked it in winter and spring, so this was the first time I’d seen the big pond dried up and no cows anywhere. We did see a coyote hanging out and exploring the dried pond, but aside from some birds and lots of buzzing insects, no other wildlife on the way up.  The way down was a little more exciting right from the get go!  We saw a couple scorpions, several centipedes and praying mantis, including a pretty big one that started climbing up my friends leg, one mouse and lots of other bugs.  Lots of rustling in the grasses and bushes, but we were unable to see anything else.  The sun had set a while before we summited, so the whole hike down was using headlamps.  Not sure if it’s the norm for a summer weekday evening, but this was by far the least crowded I had ever seen this trail and I absolutely loved it!