I drove 3+ hours to tag this peak. I needed a short hike for two reasons, 1. I am suffering a little bit of a knee issue that causes me some pain. 2. There was some pretty bad weather coming in and I needed to get it done quickly. I arrived at the gate and found out that was $8 to park. I was fortunate to have my America the Beautiful Veteran Pass and got in for Free. I walked up the paved trail, very leafy, but still easy to follow. The trail is moderately steep. I got to the visitors center at the top and asked where the survey marker was located. As you are facing the doors of the visitors center, do a 180* turn. On the ground near a set of wooden doors is the marker. They are making it more accessible for people to take pictures.
After walking around the cloudy top :I decided to head back via the road the shuttles come up. I thought it would be better for my knee that slipping on the leave covered trail. I passed the trail junction and a short time later a shuttle driver stopped and said I was not allowed on the road, I asked if it was a law and he said that it was not and it was for my safety. Since :I was walking facing traffic, and was standing off the road when he stopped, I told him I was good and kept going down the hill. When I got to the 180* turn on the road i was now on the opposite side of the road when a shuttle coming up the hill stopped and told me I was not allowed to walk on the road. I told him I was safe and kept going. He told me he was going to call the park ranger. By the time I got to the bottom the shuttle driver showed me two signs on the road that said no foot traffic. I pointed out to him that there were no signs at the top that said that. He again told me he called the ranger, but he wasn't there so I was probably safe. So the lesson is- Don't walk on the road or you may become a fugitive from justice. This was the last of this years 6 pack and am glad i got it done. Not sure about next year…
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