Done this before – several times. Hit the trailhead around 6PM and the mountain is likely to be empty. There was one other car in the lot, and we crossed paths as we were ascending. We had the mountain to ourselves.

Well, not completely to ourselves. The black flies were in FULL bloom. Clouds. Hoards. Masses.  Thank god for head nets and petrochemical topical barriers.  They were thick.

Still worth it. It was Sammy’s first time on this old standard of a hike. We had dinner in the bear den with great views.  There was little lingering – more like get it done and get down. We did not stay for sunset.