We are up at 4:30, eat, pack, and leave around 6:10 in an effort to avoid the heat and direct sunlight. Our Phoenix friends leave a few minutes later and soon pass us during the climb. I am the slowest of our group up the steep switchbacks, but reach the top of them in about forty minutes. I was expecting the climb out to take much longer.
I start the long loop around to the south. Fortunately, it is almost level. I pass several different flowers on the loop.
When I reach the Forest Service sign, I know I'm nearly there. At the top is a nice Cholla plant. I meet up with Keith and Bob in the parking lot and we get our Phoenix friends to take our picture by the trailhead sign.
We head to Jacob Lake for a celebration cheeseburger and fries. MAIN INDEX | HIKING INDEX | BACK TO DAY 8 | FORWARD TO POSTSCRIPT
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