All the Way

To the top. (Though not from the bottom.)

I've biked it, but not hiked it. (Not all the way to the top.) Today was the day to visit the summit of Mt. Umunhum on foot.

We started from the Black Mountain parking lot, encountering few others along the way.

The trail meanders gently upward; it's a long walk, but not a strenuous one—about 5 miles.

We could see the layer of smoke from distant fires thickening above the valley, soon to drive us all indoors.

My hiking buddy pointed out a few bail-out points on our downward trek, ways to shorten the route by walking down the road instead. And miss sights like these glorious madrones? (Not a chance.)