August 2012. A very cool loop trail that is overshadowed by other great surrounding calls. Surprisingly close to home and easy access. This trip was quiet. Never saw another person until we hit the PCT. Met a number of folks hiking all the way through. The vector point of this trail and the PCT is a call for celebration of the through hikers. It is the last leg of their journey and stones next to the trail note distance they traveled. All were on a committed mission. What struck us, was how remarkably light and good they looked. Meanwhile, we felt like pack mules and Jeff nursed a bum heel. It was inspiring to see folks on the end of a very long journey with great stories. It seemed age and demographic didn't matter. One just needed lots of time and ambition. The high country offered incredible star gazing opportunity and our exit greeted us with splendid wild blueberries. Lastly plan to manage and seek H20. It can be sparse in sections.