I managed to get out for a couple hours this morning, tackling the mighty hill at the base of Baldy Road. I did it the hard way, going up what I used to call the secret route. Now it's quite easily found and even maintained to some degree, with prickly stuff cut back and an obvious path to follow. I had a few minutes to myself on top, but when another guy walked up and asked if I wanted to join his group for a whisky I gladly accepted. Of course, at the time I wasn't thinking that 9:30 is a bit early for me to be drinking.... However, we all toasted each other for managing to escape outside for a little while and that made it a pretty good day.
Part of the not-so-secret trail.
The route ahead, which at one time was a fire break.
Most of the way up, summit on the left. I was sweating profusely by now.
Summit water tank.
There are always potatoes up there. Nice view of Baldy behind.
Although I took the fire road down, this is a view of the harder route up.
Four cars in the parking area when I arrived, 22 when I left.