I am sometimes asked what my most difficult hike has been. Right now I can say it was this one! over 18 miles, with over 1 MILE in vertical gain. But it was a great day for a long hike. Started out an hour late because of a marathon in the area had the highway blocked! And starting about 6 miles into the hike, it was take 25+ steps, then stop and huff n puff! All the way to the top. And as you might expect, spectacular views from 11,500'. On the way out, made a couple of quick layovers to San Gorgonio West Peak, and then later to Peak 10131. Not long after that, the sun set, so the final 2+ hours of my hike was by flashlight.