When you start from Meridian Trailhead at first light, you never know how far you can walk before sunrise. If there’s a favorite place and you get there on time, stay and wait for that glorious golden light. Otherwise just start walking, hoping to be at a good picture spot at the right time.

Other folks were on the trail today, though not as many as before. Two of them stopped me to ask directions.

There are three places where you can bail out on the west side of Pass Mountain:
1. McGill Junction, for the trail west down to Usery Pass Trailhead.
2. Wind Cave Trailhead.
3. The sign for Pass Mountain Trailhead.

Made it past the first two. But by the time I got to the Pass Mountain Trailhead sign I’d really worn myself out. So I called home. My daughter Clara, angel, met me at Pass Mountain Trailhead and drove me back to Meridian Trailhead, where my car was parked.

Pass Mountain Loop, I’ll be back.