O.M.G

This was the hardest hike I've ever done. The hiker who said this was a good beginning hike for a novice…”whatchu talking about Willis?!” Grant it, I'm a SLOW hiker, but I did a Beast (15 mile and 35+ obstacles) Spartan Race in the heart of summer in Hawaii in the same amount of time, actually a bit less. This was hard AF!

The Positives:
– Depending on weather, absolutely stunning views you can only get with that elevation. But as you can see coming down, the weather turned on us and the views were gone.
– Easy to find, plenty of parking, a bathroom at the start and one halfway at the ski hut.
– Sooo many friendly hikers!
– Trail is fairly well maintained and easy to follow with some nice new signage.

The No Buenos:
– The trail can be hard to see in the rocky areas.
– There are a HELLUVA lot of rocks on the path making this a technical ascent and descent. Please be careful and take TWO trekking poles if you can. I fell twice, and my friend more tikes than that .
– The last mile to the summit is TERRIFYING going up and coming down. There was SO MUCH wind which added to the terror of being blown down trying to climb and more importantly descend. Couldn't enjoy our snacks at the top because there was so much wind and I was anxious to get going past that technical descent.
– The weather got us. The fog, mist and rain rolled in hard and fast.

Good Luck and be safe hikers!