Headed out at 1am and arrived around 5:45am. It was still dark and apparently I missed the trailhead. The going was getting fairly rugged so I decided to park and take my chances. Turned out okay, decided I must be on the trail as it started lighting up outside.

Though I couldn't see the full glory surrounding I knew it was there by the tiny hints of light. A couple miles up the trail I met Nick and Preston coming in! The light was just starting to get good. We hiked up to the ridge where views broke over to the Rincons and Catalinas. I wished Nick and Preston good luck then headed back down. The light in Upper Ash had to have been at it's pinnacle for the day and possibly the season if not the decade! Simply an indescribable feeling.

About a half mile or so after the switchbacks I met Letty! Within the next mile I met Matt and Liz! Matt mentioned Suz/Ambika's loss of keys. What a bummer for them... I searched high and low until I reached the survivor signal Then met them on the way out.

The country views of the rolling hills coming out were fabulous too!