Way too hot.

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I got started late.  Which is fine.  My friend wasn't in perfect shape.  Not even the extra time really fixed that for him.  I grabbed three maps, and spoke with some of the people in the shop.  I found four trailheads, though only two real trailheads.  Each has two trails leading off in different directions, with different skill levels.  Actually, there was another trail, but I didn't locate that one.  I know where it is on the map though, and can figure out how to get to it.  I've been to it, just didn't know what it was.  My friend knows places, but not as a hiker.  Really, only as a car camper, or trailer camper with past women.

Yeah, I think, for me to handle the heat and cut the crowding a bit, I'll have to get out early.  Some of the trails might allow for off-trail camping.  Best to look around a bit out there first before considering.  If nothing else, just getting out and then up there, was good.  There is some hope that I can hike when at where it is cool enough, and enough on my own.  We'll see.  The heat is really closing in, but at enough altitude, it isn't quite so bad.  This is just the turn of the season though.

My friend wasn't feeling the best, so I let him off first.  I thought to look for a pack bladder and map holders, but decided it was just too hot.  I did, since I have been being as good as I can, buy beer.  Not for tonight.  I still want to finish the dishes, clean the kitchen and bathroom a bit, have a bite to eat, and maybe work on the packs.  Not sure how much of that I will get done today, but should get through some of it.  Most of it probably.  I need an hour down, with the fan going.  Might even turn on the ac and let that blow out and cool the place for a bit.  I burn up on longer runs.

I did, sort of, time the drive from the trailheads.  An hour and an half for the farthest one, about forty five to the closest one (that I visited).  The one I didn't visit, I would guess, would take about an hour and an half as well.  It's farther than the others, but no twisting slow drive up to it.  I'm trying to guesstimate, so as to be on the road to be there, roughly, at sunup.  Best remember to take both a jacket, but a hat and sunglasses too.  Monday?  That's sort of the hope.  Of course, with the sun coming up earlier, and those places being variously in a canyon or near the top of a mountain, east facing, sunup is going to be a guess.  There won't be published times for those.

Yeah... burned out.  I won't get out tomorrow, but I might get to some things in the house, and regarding the packs if I don't finish those tonight.  I did get the flint I ordered, along with the lighter and forged knife/flint striker from the post.  Almost done.  A few more items still to arrive, another bladders, and map holders, and I should be about done for three season camping.  Winter camping will be geared for this, or maybe next, fall/winter.  Out, get out, be ready become able, but get out!