I pulled into the Pine TH at 4am and figured 2 hours sleep would refresh me. I set out to just check out Dripping Spring and look for an off-trail route up 1,000 feet. About a half mile in, I came across about 8-10 elk and 1/4 mile later I came across a couple standing on trail. The scope was off-trail and I saw their rifle leaning against a tree.

I ended up going a little more than 3 1/2 miles each way. On the way back, I saw one other hiker and a trail runner right at the end.