First time back since the re-opening

Coppertone and I decided to revisit this trail after it had been re-opened a couple of weeks ago.  Some extensive work had been done to fix up the trail to help repair some wear and tear from the 50,000 hikers who use it yearly.  

We showed up a bit after 10:00 AM and the parking area was full, save for perhaps one space.  It would remain full when we left an hour and a half later.  Seems like the word has gotten out about the trail.

The most noticeable change to the trail are the stone stairs added here and there in those spots that had suffered the most of erosion due to steepness and so many feet pounding on the surface.  The most stairs in one spot is right there at the trailhead.

The trail surface remains rocky and careful footing is required at times, but overall is easy for most walkers to handle.  Ample signage and a large map at the trailhead makes orienting oneself on the trail quite easy.

Not too far into the hike we spotted two California Quail come out of the brush and walk along the trail ahead of us.  We slow walked and kept our distance until hikers coming from the other direction gave the pair no choice but the dive back into the high grass.  During our time on the trail we'd spot a lot of lizards and skinks crossing the trail or sunning themselves on exposed rocks.

One trail segment we don't remember seeing before was the Boots Spur leading to a stone bench dedicated to the early health food advocate and all around eccentric known as Gypsy Boots.  I had never heard of him before and had to look him up online when we got back home.  

On the way up and down we were never far from another hiker or group of hikers going in one direction or the other.  In all of our visits here this might be the most crowded we've ever seen the trail.