[Flieger]

Wow, my legs are pumped. That was a good workout. I haven't hiked in forever. It was good I rode before and after because it loosened up my legs. I was working lots of different muscles compared to cycling.

I can see why they call it a mountain. It could be more than 2,000 feet from bottom to top. It is deceptive, though, because it is so steep. They do switchbacks once you hit the rocky area but before that it is like climbing a ladder in some places.

It was an awesome view, though. I climbed up to the top of the easier-to-get-to, second-tallest rock outcrop and there was a nice cool breeze (hot on the way up) and I saw these pretty swallows flying around using the ridge lift. It looked like they had irridescent green feathers like a hummingbird's on their backs. Then I tried to go over to the slightly taller outcrop that was blocking my view of El Morro and the bay, but I was blocked about 3/4 of the way there by more poison oak than I cared to deal with.

On the whole, though, the trail was very nice. There was very little poison oak and what there was was easy to spot and avoid. There are some trails I have seen that are thick with it.

This was my first time to the top. I had been up to the chapparal line before but could not figure out where the trail went. This time I followed a group of girls I had caught up to and seemed to know where they were going, but then they asked me if I knew. Anyway, it did end up getting to the more well defined switchback portion of the trail. It was easy on the way up, less so on the way down due to the dirt that was slippery with my normal, somewhat worn shoes.

The rocky areas were great with my shoes. Sid would love it.

So yeah, there were a few girls there. Mostly in pairs. None really spectacular looking. One of the good looking ones I tried to say "Hi" or something to but she was pre-occupied with talking to her friend. Some were iPod zombies.

Anyway, it is definately something I would like to do with a girlfriend but it does not seem like the best way to meet single women.