Went on Monday, but forgot it was a holiday (Labor Day). At 5:30am during my drive on the 8 mile stretch of dirt road to the trailhead, two vehicles were behind me and three passed by coming from the other direction! I'm thinking this will be a mob scene (typical). There were 3 other cars already at the trailhead. I headed up the trail at a good pace and quickly passed everyone, getting far enough ahead so I couldn't hear them talking. Not much of a speed hiker, I am usually the one who gets passed. I did this hike almost a year ago and I hardly recognized the trail. It was like a jungle in many spots. We have definitely had some serious rain this year! Near the saddle while dallying around taking photos, I was still busy congratulating myself on being first up here when a young couple actually RAN by me! Yes, that's right...crazy people!
So, anyway...after walking out a ways toward Lone Pine, I got the idea that I should try the Cave Trail going back. It went well at first, but I ended up coming back to the saddle and going back down Peralta. For notes on that unsuccessful endeavor, see Cave Trail triplogs.