Hiked counter-clockwise beginning at the Pomeroy Tanks trailhead. Stopped at several spots during the approach to the rim trail from the parking area, to see the natural "tanks". The water level is stable and there were plenty of flowers in bloom. Hiked past the first climbing area (near Sycamore Falls trailhead), but nobody was on the rock at the early hour... on a Friday. Proceeded around the rim, up to the Vista, before seeing other hikers. Passed a TRUCK parked almost on the rim itself, with a couple of dogs who rushed at me, barking, hackles up. The dog owner / truck driver came over and collected the dogs, but that was a disturbing few minutes. Decided to hike the Overland Road "trail" from near the old sawmill through the woods back to near where my car was parked, but I think this was a bad choice. The footing is awful in the woods, the Road doesn't go anywhere interesting, and it's slow-going through the forest, trying to keep cairns in view. So, a 2.5-mile "shortcut" ended up taking over two hours to negotiate. It's possible to hike the Road, but it would have been better to remain on the Rim Loop trail, in hindsight.