Hot chocolate has never tasted so good

I really enjoyed this hike, perhaps surprisingly so. I’d read a number of comments from people claiming this was their least favorite peak, so I mentally prepared for a hike that I’d just be getting out of the way. But other than the parking situation (full at 6:15 AM, up a windy road I hate driving on the best of days) I thought this was a great hike. Scenery looping up was nice, with lots of flowing water to cross and challenges to keep it interesting. Switchbacks and incline were tough, but not unreasonably so. Free hot chocolate at the top was probably the highlight of my day, other than the view from the overlook. Downhill was harder on my knees and I lost steam mentally about halfway through the descent. But when the trail headed uphill for a bit in the last half, I got a second wind; and thankfully the final descent was less rocky and easier on my joints. I didn’t partake, but I LOVED that the trail had a general store with food and drink at the end. It wasn’t too crowded and it was nice to sit with the group and rehash the day before collapsing in my car for the drive home. Slept 11 hours last night. Thankful my tennis match was cancelled today.