So for me, the uphill both ways wasn't a problem. I will say the steep return descent with rocks, boulders, sand, dirt, roots, and ruts made the return descent more challenging the the return uphills by far taking way more energy than I had expected.

Return difficulty aside, beautiful hike. Started out in the fog, started to clear as I got near the summit. Then burned off all the way down until I got to my truck.

At the summit, the trail is very narrow. Like this for for maybe the last 0.5-0.75 miles going up.

I selected “no bugs”, there was some but not enough to be an annoyance.

Some hikers were heading out at 1200-1300 time frame, that would not be my first choice. Even though it was in the 70's, no breeze and no shade would make for a long 11.5 mile hike. Maybe they were not going to the summit, not sure.