Finishing my Hike of Pilot Knob Mountain

 Woke up at 6:30 this morning feeling pretty good and even caught the sun coming up over Pilot Knob Mountain.

As planned I didn't do much.  Went through my routine and around 1 o'clock, Yuma started bugging me to go somewhere.   I was watching Kansas City win in football so he had to wait.  I knew I needed to make a Walmart run soon, so that's what we did.

First, I drove North on Sidewinder Road, the road I take to get to I-8 but I went further.  I knew there was BLM land up this road and sure enough there is and not crowded at all.  Maybe next year I'll stay there.

Then it was off to Walmart with Yuma for some shopping.  The clouds have come up so it is mostly cloudy but warm with no wind.  We were done and home by 3 o'clock.  

Watched more football and now I'm ready to watch Green Bay for the evening.  The sunset tonight with the clouds is beautiful.

Now I'll take us down the mountain.  Since I was at the top looking down, I could tell that the trail I had taken was the hardest I could have picked.  I selected a new trail to go back down but I knew when I got to the bottom I would have a long walk to the Jeep.  But at least it would be flat.

One last look to the west over the Imperial Sand Dunes.

Then it was time to head back down.  It is 2:30 and the sun was moving quickly to the west.

Yuma had already run down part way and came back to make sure I was following.

Last look back up at the cross.

This trail is a switchback thankfully.  Going down is always harder than going up.  Too easy to slip on loose gravel and fall.

Another look back towards the peak.

Yuma is too close to that edge for me.  Called him back away from it.

 As I got close to the bottom there is a gravel pit.  The trail made it along the crest of gravel.  Not much room for error.  Soon, I was walking the road the big gravel trucks made up the side of the mountain and I was coasting from there.

Had a long walk back to the Jeep, but a short trip home of a few miles.  When I looked back at the mountain I was surprised.  Did I leave a fire going at the top?  I'll never tell.😚

  There was no wind and as I rested on my lounger, I could hear an engine noise and looked up to to see a paraglider scooting along enjoying the late afternoon sun.

Time for dinner and some football.  Life is good.  See you later.