This hike was tough in every way. First, getting there: the HPS directions to the Route 1 trailhead have a major error. In step 2, you need to veer RIGHT at the intersection with SR189 in order to stay on SR173, rather than veer left (with the implication that you should turn left onto 189). So I had to do some backtracking early on. Second, the dirt roads are really gnarly. I gave up after a particularly tough section, and had just parked my Subaru Forester on the side when a ranger pulled up; he said that I'd just done the hardest part of the drive and would be able to manage the road ahead. I didn't go quite all the way, but parked in the shade of a well-positioned tree, adding about a half-mile to the hike each way.

On to the hike. I missed the trail descending toward Deep Creek, and crossed maybe 80 yards further south. Not good. I managed to push my way through the brush and cross the creek, then I faced a crazy steep ascent up to the ridge. This was more of a climb than a hike, since I used my hands most of the way and never saw any trails. After this tough section, I finally spotted a duck. From that point on, the trail is rather lavishly ducked, even though it's clear to see where you need to go. I had left my trekking poles behind at the trailhead of a peak I climbed earlier in the day, so I grabbed a strong branch to help with the steep ascent from here to the summit.

Vexingly, after all this effort, there wasn't a pen or pencil in the register can, so I wasn't able to sign in and record my triumph. Dang!

On the way down, it's easy enough to follow the ducks all the way down to the creek, so the descent is quite a bit easier than the ascent. (I would never have been able to spot them on the way up.)

I ran out of water just before descending to the creek. I could have gotten some there, but I had three liters waiting in my car, so I just pushed on. On the way back to my car, there was a good bit of elevation gain on that gnarly road, so I was very happy indeed when I spotted my Adventuremobile waiting for me in the shade.

This was about the hardest 5-mile hike I've ever done!