Started out at 9am and it was hot, already umbrella weather. Thankfully the clouds rolled in soon after. It's been a while since I've been on this trail and it's as steep as I remember, but also quite beautiful when stopping to catch your breath. The trail was colorful in the lower reaches, plenty of wildflowers and cactus blooms. It's always nice to see the first saguaro blooms of the season. I am hoping that this year is better than last one for saguaro fruit, as there was hardly any last year due to the measly rains. As I made it closer to Linda Vista, the skies darkened and the wind really picked up. It was really cold at the saddle and difficult to enjoy my break with all the wind, so I ate a snack and decided that was as far as I was going to go today.

As I started back down, it began to rain and I was not happy with the thought of wet, steep, slippery, sloping slabs. Then as quickly as it began, the rain stopped and the high winds blew all the dark clouds away. Before I knew it, it was clear, sunny, and warm again. Took a break to do some much-needed writing in my journal- I most enjoy writing when out on a trail and it's been way too long. So much going on right now with my transition from massage therapist to working on the river- my first trip is coming up in two weeks! I process things best when I sit down and write, old-school pen and paper style outdoors.