Warning: If you're heading east, the Forest Service road can kind of sneak up on you -- and you'll have to cross a lane of traffic to get there. Brake and set your blinker early. I definitely got a few honks. Also, don't let the lack of trip reports fool you...this trail is definitely frequented - especially on a warm Saturday morning. If you prefer solitude, get to the trailhead as early as possible. We made it to the summit around 11am and shared it with about twenty others.
I got to the trailhead at 9am and the parking lot was about half full. It took my hiking buddy and I a little over two hours to get to the summit and about an hour and a half to get back down. When we returned to the trailhead around 1pm, the parking lot was full and cars were parking along the side of the road.
The trail description is pretty spot on when it says this hike is a constant and steady incline. It can be pretty tough during the first part (my hiking buddy was moving pretty slowly as a result), but once you get into the taller trees/lusher forest, it definitely cools down and the long switchbacks make it more enjoyable/manageable. However, this part is also where the bugs come out. I'm not one for bug spray and was definitely annoyed/distracted by the mosquitos.
If you're in decent shape, I wouldn't classify this hike as difficult. Slow and steady and you'll make it!
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