I saw a few cars parked at the start of the fire road to the summit as I set out this afternoon, so I figured I might actually see some other hikers. And I did. "Are you Preston Sands?" "Yes!" I met AZWaterRat, who was on his way down. We talked for a few minutes, then went our separate ways. I knew we'd meet at some point in our backyard mountains.

I continued up to the top of Heliograph, and was happy to see that the area's thunderstorms had moved far away from the peak. The hour was growing late, and soft light bathed the numerous juvenile aspens that carpeted the top of Heliograph Peak. I love this time of year in the Pinalenos! AZWaterRat gave a favorable report on the Heliograph Trail (the forest service actually cleared it of deadfall!), so I took that way down. I have never seen the Heliograph Trail in such good shape. Made it down to the Arcadia Trail in no time, then took it back to Shannon Campground and my truck, enjoying a few raspberries along the way. It was an afternoon well spent.