Great hike today with Carl. We did McCllellan Butte from the parking lot, about 10.2 miles, 3,800 feet of elevation gain. We started up the trail about 6am and were able to beat the worst of the heat. On the way down we passed a few hikers coming up, looking fairly sweaty.
As always, the views from the top are outstanding:
The photo above, ‘Steep Drop’, shows the consequences of slipping from the summit scramble should you choose to give it a try:
Anyway, the fact that any mistake scrambling up the big rock on the top would result in certain death is a bit of a deal-killer for me, and for Carl as well.
But the hike is a superb workout and the views along the way and at the top are a great payoff for all the effort.
Plus, Carl brought a thermos of coffee and that perked me up (I was exhausted by the time I got to the top, this hike is very steep for a very long way) enough that we fairly flew going down the trail.
Like I say, great hike!
Beautiful views!