On our return hike, I made the hike leader decision to not go back the way we came down but rather to hike back up the
Lower West Bear Canyon Drainage to a suitable/safely doable off-trail exit point UP close to our Park/TH Start.
(having hiked this section years ago, what I forgot was how congested the lower half-mile of this West Bear Canyon was years ago and now most likely is even worse.. but following my GD's beautiful smile ahead of me made it all good! )