[aigel]

Resurrection! I did this over the holiday weekend. It is a very stiff day hike that an estimated 2/3 of the people who attempt aren't able to compete. It is right there with the Death Ride in my book: It is an endurance event that you don't want to hike for time.

It was perfect weather, all the snow practically gone. That said, you look at the same drainage for a very long time, spend hours on switchbacks before you finally get over Trail Crest at 13600 feet where you are rewarded with beautiful views. If this wasn't the highest peak in the contiguous US, it would not be this popular. There are much prettier / more entertaining hikes in the Sierra.

The permit system works well, there is enough parking etc. and I liked the store at the Portal which serves wagon wheel size pancakes. Still, this will be my first and last in one day. I want to do it again as part of the John Muir Trail - someday ...

G