Realizing there would be no shade today we started pretty early. The King Canyon Trail starts out with a more than gradual incline and did not stop until it reached the top. As you head up the trail you see the peak ahead of you and way up there. Great workout for the old guy. One of these days my legs will not be screaming at me for making them climb to the top of a mountain. The trail was surrounded of course by thousands of saguaro and more ocotillo cacti than I have ever seen in one location. They were everywhere and seeing them like that just reminded me of a forest, different than what a person normally thinks of when hearing the word forest, but just as beautiful and inspiring.

On the way up we passed an abandoned mine. We took the time to get off the trail, about 20 feet, to look explore. However, it was blocked off and had a sign that said something about bats. Pretty cool. As you near the peak we walked a narrow strip where the mountain fell away below on both sides. Not something you see every hike.

There was not a large crowd since it was a Friday, but on our way back to the parking lot along the Hugh Norris Trail we did meet several small groups enjoying the trails and sunny afternoon.