A steep but short path dropped us down to a view of partly frozen Cooper Canyon Falls.
After crossing Little Rock Creek we entered my favorite part of the trail, with beautiful views of the surrounding rock formations
and twisting canyon space.

During the approach to Burkhart Saddle, Will Thrall beckoned us closer.
Then from the saddle the high desert finally came into view.
The summit trail seemed steeper than I remembered from the first time I did it over a year ago. But Thrall rewarded us with some additional views from the top.
A plaque memorialized the man of the mountain.
It was such a pleasant day that we spent a full hour on the summit, resting and having some lunch. We made it back to the car around sunset, not having seen anyone else the entire day.