This is a tough hike, temp in the mid 70s. First off, the drive to the trailhead is very bad, at…read moreconstant risk of parting was with your oil pan..the pot holes are deep. Drive slow and careful. I took my bordercollie on this climb, we are both avid runners, and in good shape, but this climb was tough! It is a 3 mile climb to the lookout, and the first mile or so it was fairly strait forward, shaded, beautiful, and doable. As you climb higher, you break into the scree which crescendos into climbing on, over and around some pretty hefty boulders, I wore Hoka trail shoes , and fell twice, sliding down, rock. Sometimes the trail is barely discernable, and limited visibility conditions such as nighttime or poor weather, I can see where one could easily get off track. There were a couple of streams, where there is water access for my dog..but take EXTRA water, as you'll need it. A few times I had to physically hoist my collie up some rock, by her harnesss. We could only make it to the base of the lookout as it was to difficult to get my dog up the short distance into the lookout, and I wished I had a dog sitter in order for me to go into the lookout.
That being said, despite the hard work, the view, beauty, challenge and tranquility were amazing. Enjoy, pack your 10 essentials, plenty of water and make sure your dog is of the forgiving ilk.