This hike had some lovely views, but the trail threw us a few challenges before we could soak them in! We kicked off our hike at 7:50 am, hit the summit around 10:50 am, and got back to the car by 12:50 pm. When we arrived, the parking lot was almost full, and by the time we left, it was packed, even with overflow down the road. This parking lot seemed to be a hub for hikers, climbers, river folks—you name it. So, if you're aiming for a spot, try to get their early.
The trail itself was in pretty good shape and had a good number of cool sights including views of the highway weaving through the mountains. Once we hit the half-mile mark, the road noise dialed down too. The terrain's a mixed bag—some parts with loose rocks, some with bigger sunken rocks, and a few smoother stretches thrown in. One of the main annoyances was flies. While they didn’t really bite, we did hit a few pockets where they were quite annoying especially closer to the top.
Now, let's talk about the difficulty level, they labeled it as "HARD," and in my option, they weren't kidding. The elevation gain versus the trail length made it most of the trip a steep one. And to be honest that steepness took a bit of the fun out of it. But if you're up for a challenge or want to get in shape for backpacking or mountaineering, this could be right up your alley.
Once we hit the summit, the view was great, but here's a tip. There is a better view just a few hundred yards before the tippy-top. Through a break in the trees, you’ll get a gorgeous view of Granite Lake, which we thought was much more majestic (see picture).
On our way down, we decided to check out Dirty Harry's Balcony. Compared to what we saw at the peak, it was not as impressive. If you're in for a shorter trip, though, the balcony could be a great choice for a turnaround.
All in all, it was a good hike, however the steepness might've slightly outweighed the summit views!
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