Maybe the toughest hike we've ever done.

Comments: Much of this trail is relatively flat and crosses numerous dry streambeds, but the ascent and descent portions of the loop are pretty rough. The ascent up follows a steep streambed part of the way and scrambling over boulders was required. The descent on the back side of the ridge was rocky and steep and required careful footing and more than a few handholds for stability. The hot weather took its toll on us as well. We saw no one else on the trail and only saw a highway off in the distance for short period of time from part of the ridge top, or else we'd give this a solitude rating of 5.